(Parliament News): Sep 21, 2022; Addis Ababa: MPs of the House of Peoples' Representatives of the FDRE and of that of the EU Parliament conducted a conversation that paid due focus to the Ethiopian peace issues.

The bilateral session, which took place at the auditorium inside the precinct of the Ethopian Parliament hours ago; was dealt with various topics of significance that prioritized the recovery of peace in the northern part of Ethiopia.

Honorable Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the HoPRs of the FDRE spearheaded the joint session and reiterated the unwavering stance of the Federal Government of Ethiopia; when it comes to the peace and stability of the nation, anywhere in the nation and elsewhere throughout the world.

The masterminds behind the war-conflict of northern Ethiopia, who actually are compatriots, have been repeatedly requested by the Ethiopian Gov’t to cease conflict and gather around a round table to settle whatever issues under question; as to the Speaker.

The Speaker added, the Ethiopian Parliament and the Federal Gov’t exerted all efforts not to engage in any type of conflict, let alone an armed war conflict that claimed lives and became a driving force for the internal displacements.

"Ethiopia recently set-up a National Dialogue Commission to bring lasting peace and national consensus. No conflict is essential in the 21st century, in general; Ethiopia firmly believes. The country is always ready to work in-line with int'l bodies in every aspect including violations of human rights" the Speaker clarified.

Regarding the empowerment and representation of women, the Speaker said; Ethiopia has a package in place. The gov’t has been so long doing its assignment to ascertain women's rights in all walks of societal endeavors, he elaborated.

Apart from this, Honorable Tagesse disclosed the fact that all the operational and/or strategic plans of the country incorporate the climate change issues, from the onset. Accordingly, Ethiopia planted 4 point 5 billion seedlings only this year, he recalled.

The Speaker also clarified, pursuant to the guidelines of the Post-Cotonu agreement that broadens the existing partnership of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States with the EU, the Ethiopian Parliament has completed the task expected from it. It discussed on it and endorsed the doc, he reminded.

Moreover, the Speaker pointed Ethiopia's unequivocal stance on Russia-Ukraine war conflict. "The two sovereign countries shall resolve their disparities in conformity with the existing sovereignty principles. Access to humanitarian supplies may not be restricted and of course, the two countries shall come to discussion and negotiation" as to him.

Chairperson of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee of the HoPRs, Honorable Dima Noggo (PhD), moderated the bilateral session and brought the implied topics of discussion to the table.

He elucidated the recent political background of the nation, which led to the anticipated reform of the nation in every aspect and explained the ground realities regarding the war conflict in northern Ethiopia. His was wrapped-up by an urge to the EU to strengthen the existing ties and support the country in its endeavors.

Chairperson of Health, Social, Dev't, Culture and Sports Affairs Standing Committee of the HoPRs, Honorable Werksemu Mamo on her part mentioned the work flow of her committee to the EU delegates. She also remarked the govt's commitment in empowering women even by mentioning the 42 per-cent composition of women MPs.

Moreover, her urge to the EU support was extended in issues such as peace, devt and prosperity of the nation in general and the vulnerable sects of the society; the women and children. She also expressed the willingness on the side of the Ethiopian Parliament Women's Caucus to work with and learn from the EU's similar structure. Her utmost urge was a quest for the delegation to be voice for Ethiopia just taking into account the realities on the side of Ethiopia.

Chairperson of the Plan, Budget and Finance Affairs Standing Committee of the HoPRs, Honorable Sileshi Kore (Phd), on his part explained the GERD issues. GERD, the renewable energy plant as to him, goes not only restricted to Ethiopia but of benefit to the Horn of Africa and the continent Africa itself, as an asset.

Ethiopia's win-win policy makes the lower riparian countries, Sudan and Egypt, highly beneficial when seen from the professional aspect of water dynamics; he underscored. It isn't as it has been allegedly conceived and the flow of the waters of River Abbay (Nile) would maintain its usual flow after its interaction with the turbines of the dam, he said.

The Chairperson also made it clear to the EU delegates that the Home-Grown Policy of Ethiopia has explicitly brought a boom in the agricultural sector of the country. The changes are felt even in other sectors like mining, tourism and job creation; he noted.

One among the 34 members of the EU Parliament delegation to Ethiopia, the Chairperson Honorable David McAllister of the Foreign Affairs Committee; expressed his wish for lasting peace and prosperity in the New Ethiopian Year, which was celebrated only a few days ago.

Honorable David reminded the session, among other topics in discussion, the main purpose behind the visit of the delegation is just looking for ways to culminate the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing war conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia.

As to him, lasting peace and unrestricted access to the humanitarian access to the people living in war conflict areas is the immediate call of the EU.

Other members of the delegation of the EU Parliament, people like Honorable Michael Gahler, Honorable Carlos Zorrinho, Honorable Helene Fritzon, Honorable Urmas Paet, Honorable Samira RAFAELA, Honorable Juozas Olekas, Honorable Zeljana Zovko and Honorable Pierrette Herzerberger-Fofana forwarded their comments, suggestions and questions which were responded by the Ethiopian side as was aforementioned.

The EU's delegation will continue its high-level discussion with the AU to settle down the war conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia, as it was learned.

By Asrat Addisu