Posted:
24.10.2024 14:41:00
Lukashenko discussed lack of sea access with Ethiopian Prime Minister
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko met Abiy Ahmed Ali, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan. One of the subjects they discussed was lack of sea access in both countries, BelTA reports.
“You know our pain, you feel our pain. It’s the pain of a country without sea access,” he said.
The PM explained that, as an owner of large fresh water reserves, Ethiopia co-operates selflessly with its neighbours, supplying water for free.
“They consume our water, but, unfortunately, are not in any hurry to share access to the sea with us,” he said. “Our country’s population is the second largest in Africa. Can you imagine a millions strong country like that without sea access? How hard is it for us to survive?” lamented Mr. Abiy.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister believes that, “Access to seas and oceans, to finance, should be equal and distributed fairly. We shouldn’t go to war or fight over resources.”
“That’s why the position of Belarus that understands and shares our pain is so important for us. We have a resource and would like to share it, but only in an equitable and mutually acceptable way,” he added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko agreed that Belarus is familiar with the subject and interested in it. He believes that solving that problem is a matter of time for Ethiopia.
“Your neighbours who don’t understand that are foolish. They have to realise that sooner or later, Ethiopia will find a way to the sea, through negotiations or through war. It would be better, of course, if it happened peacefully,” said the Belarusian leader.
