Good afternoon and welcome to my residence.  Endemen Walachehu.

It is a great pleasure for me to see many familiar faces today.  It is already one year since we had the previous General Assembly meeting of the JEAS here.  So many things have occurred since that time.  Let me quickly overview the bilateral relations between our two countries.

2011 was a very difficult year for Japan because of the 3.11 Earthquake and Tsunami.  For Japan-Ethiopia relations, however, 2011 was a year of great strides.  In all areas, we saw remarkable development.

First of all, mutual visits by dignitaries between our two countries were revitalized.  Our policy dialogue was also strengthened on various levels.  Every time an AU Assembly meeting is held, a political level representative from Japan visits Africa to attend and has a bilateral meeting with the Ethiopian counterpart on the margins of the AU meeting.  This is a development we have seen during the past two years.  The visit to Japan by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn was an important milestone in accelerating our bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation.  So was the visit by H.E. State Minister Ahmed Shide of MOFED.  Now I am planning to realize the visit to Japan by H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi sometime this year, which will further boost our relations.

In the economic and business area, a good start was made through direct talks by the Ethiopian side with Japanese business executives on various occasions.  Some concrete business talks are now underway.

Regarding ODA, Japan’s technical cooperation with Ethiopia has been strengthened as it doubled during the JFY2008-10.  The Technical Cooperation Agreement we concluded last December will further facilitate our cooperation.  The Kaizen project that JICA implemented to improve productivity and efficiency is now in the second phase where kaizen initiatives are scaled up throughout Ethiopia.  Our policy dialogue with Ethiopia for industrial development is also in the second phase, focusing on export promotion.  The resumption of concessional loans will be examined if appropriate projects are formulated and submitted.  We are working on this issue too.  Overall, in the JFY2011, Japan’s ODA to Ethiopia exceeded nine billion yen for the first time, which is equivalent to 110 million USD.

In the cultural area, as you all know, 2011 witnessed a series of events in Addis Ababa such as Japanese jazz and drum performances, a Japanese pottery exhibition and Japanese films.  This year we had the Japan Festival in January, the Girls Day Festival in February and the exhibition of panels to show the post-3.11 reconstruction in Japan in March, all of which were very well attended.

This is where we stand now, based upon the achievements we accomplished during the past one year.  These are our assets, but at the same time your assets too as members of the Alumni Society.  We have carried out substantial ground work to strengthen our bilateral relations by sowing various seeds.  When they sprout, we have to take care of the green shoots so that they will grow and eventually bear fruit.  Therefore, it is time to work together through JEAS activities.  Amesegenalehu!