EU working to resolve crisis in Ethiopia – Foreign Minister Haavisto conveys common EU messages in Tigray
“Every extra day of this war means more loss of life, more destroyed homes, more refugees, more violence against girls and women, more suffering for civilians.”
In early April, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as an Envoy of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. This was Minister Haavisto's second mission to Ethiopia. During the visit, discussions were held on the situation in Ethiopia, with a focus on the crisis in the Tigray region and the regional repercussions of the conflict. The war started in November 2020, and there is an enormous need for assistance.
At meetings with Ethiopian leaders, Minister Haavisto passed on the EU's concern about the humanitarian situation in Tigray. He called on the parties to cease hostilities, to show respect for international humanitarian law and international refugee law, and to allow conduct of impartial investigations into alleged human rights violations.
EU’s common message
Haavisto communicated the EU's common messages to Ethiopia, calling on measures to calm the situation:
- Civilians should have access to humanitarian assistance without restrictions.
- Human rights violations should be thoroughly investigated.
- Eritrean soldiers should withdraw to their own region.
- The parties should lay down the arms.
- Tigray rebels and the Ethiopian government should start discussions.
The work done by Minister Haavisto is an important part of the EU’s efforts to end violence and hostilities in the Tigray region.
Music: Kevin MacLeod, Mesmerize
Lisence: CC BY 4.0
Source: Incompetech.com
Artist: Incompetech.com