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| Ambassador's Speech>2012 >120911 | |||||
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| New Year’s Message by H.E. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, through ETV on 11 September, 2012 |
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| Enquan Aderesachehu! Happy New Year to you all! It is a great pleasure for me to have this opportunity to convey my message to the people of Ethiopia on this special day. I would like to offer my congratulations as you welcome the New Year. We all look forward to the end of the gloomy rainy season and the arrival of dry, sunny, spring days. I wish you all a happy holiday enjoying family reunions and parties with friends and relatives to share a joyous moment of hope and renewal. The Ethiopian year 2004 was a mixture of excitement and sadness. Just a month ago, Ethiopian athletes gained seven medals at the Olympics in London. The first African Dream-liner was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines. Everyone in this country was excited by these events. On the other hand, His Holiness Abune Paulos suddenly passed away. A few days afterwards, we were all shocked to receive the news that His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a visionary leader and luminary, had also passed away. It was an untimely demise and a great loss not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa. I would like to express my sincere condolences to the people of Ethiopia. May their souls rest in peace. I would like to assure you that Japan is with you at this difficult time. I do hope that this New Year will bring renewed hope and a new stride for Ethiopia. Turning our eyes to Ethio-Japanese relations, 2004 was a year of great strides. First of all, mutual visits by dignitaries were revitalized. Our policy dialogue was also strengthened. Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yamane, visited Addis Ababa twice and had bilateral talks with the Deputy Prime Minister on the margins of the AU summits. The visit to Japan by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn was also an important milestone. It accelerated our bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation, which date back more than 80 years. In the economic and business area, more Japanese companies approach our Embassy than ever before, looking for business opportunities or inquiring about the business environment in Ethiopia. I observe more talks and interactions between our private sectors these days. Regarding ODA, Japan’s technical cooperation with Ethiopia has been strengthened as it doubled in two years from the JFY2008. The Technical Cooperation Agreement we concluded will further facilitate our cooperation. The Kaizen project that JICA implemented to improve productivity and efficiency is now in the second phase, and kaizen initiatives are scaled up throughout Ethiopia. Our policy dialogue with Ethiopia for industrial development is also showing progress. Overall, in the JFY2011, Japan’s ODA to Ethiopia exceeded nine billion yen for the first time, equivalent to 110 million USD. In the cultural area, 2004 witnessed a series of events in Addis Ababa such as Japanese drum performances, a Japanese pottery exhibition, screening of Japanese films, the Japan Festival as well as kendo and karate demonstrations. These events were very well attended and conducive to promoting grassroots exchanges. These were the achievements we accomplished together during the past one year. We have also carried out substantial ground work to further strengthen our bilateral ties by sowing various seeds. When they sprout this coming year, we have to take care of the green shoots so that they will grow and eventually bear fruit. Therefore, it is time to renew our vigor as we embrace the New Year and move forward, working together. Amesegenalehu! Melkam Addis Amet! |
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