Ethiopia Seeks Peaceful Red Sea Access to Support Economic Growth: PM Abiy.

Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed Ethiopia's pursuit of peaceful access to the Red Sea, citing the necessity for a sea outlet to support the nation's growing economy and expanding population of over 120 million. Speaking before Parliament, PM Abiy emphasized Ethiopia's commitment to a non-aggressive approach to realizing these strategic goals.According to Ethiopian News Agency, PM Abiy stated, "We seek access to the Red Sea in a peaceful manner, as is fitting for a nation of our size and growing economy. Our agenda is not about confrontation, but about ensuring economic growth and benefiting the Ethiopian people." He noted the Horn of Africa region's ample sea access, with more than 5,000 kilometers of coastline stretching from Massawa to Mogadishu, underscoring Ethiopia's logical pursuit of agreements for mutual benefit.PM Abiy outlined Ethiopia's approach as one of shared prosperity and respect for neighbors, reinforcing ambitions for regional development. He highlighted the vast coastlin e as a resource for trade and cooperation, aiming to uplift Ethiopia and the entire region. Emphasizing Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful engagement, he expressed the nation's intent to create strong trade routes to transform the Horn of Africa into a hub of growth and connectivity.Regarding international relations, PM Abiy underscored Ethiopia's willingness to cooperate with global powers from both the East and West, without alignment conflicts. He noted that Ethiopia's relationships with countries such as China, the United States, and various European states are built on mutual respect and national interest, contributing to the country's economic reform.Addressing regional ties, PM Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia's commitment to peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries, including Somalia, Eritrea, and Kenya. He emphasized Ethiopia's significant Somali community and maintained that the country harbors no territorial ambitions or hidden agendas toward Somalia, describing it as a brotherly nation with hist orical and cultural ties.PM Abiy also expressed optimism about Ethiopia's recent entry into the BRICS bloc, viewing it as a strategic step towards enhancing the nation's global economic influence.