Addis Ababa — Industry Minister Melaku Alebel, in an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), outlined Ethiopia's standpoint on its quest for maritime access, framing it as a pursuit of reciprocal economic advantage and collaboration.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Ethiopia's pursuit for seaport access prioritizes economic considerations over political, positing that neighboring littoral nations should view Ethiopia's bid as an opportunity for mutual economic enhancement rather than a threat.
Melaku highlighted the potential for Ethiopia's economic growth to positively impact regional economies, suggesting that granting Ethiopia seaport access could also raise the per capita income in these neighboring countries.
The minister advocated for a cooperative and advantageous approach, emphasizing the importance of maritime access for Ethiopia's present and future economic aspirations. He further posited that the countries offering port services stand to gain substantially from Ethiopia's growing GDP.
Reiterating the peaceful and development-focused intentions behind Ethiopia's request, Melaku mentioned the ample capacity of the Red Sea coastline for port development, advocating for a strategy that prioritizes shared economic gains through concessions.