Addis Ababa Hostes Third High — Profile Visitor in a Month Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopia’s capital received Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, marking the third visit by a global leader in four weeks and reinforcing Addis Ababa’s rising profile as a continental diplomatic meeting point.
According to local reports, senior Ethiopian officials welcomed Herzog at the national palace for talks that focused on expanding agricultural cooperation and technology transfers. Official statements indicate the two governments agreed to establish a joint innovation fund and to open an Israeli agricultural excellence center outside Adama later this year.
Herzog’s arrival follows visits by the leaders of two other major powers.
In late January, a European head of state opened a new EU liaison office on African Union grounds, pledging increased infrastructure financing. Earlier this month, an Asian prime minister signed transport and digital-connectivity accords valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Regional observers say the flurry of high — level traffic highlights Ethiopia’s geographic position and its role as seat of the African Union.
“Hosting three leaders within a month signals that Addis Ababa is again seen as a safe, convenient venue for strategic dialogue,” one independent analyst noted.
Public schedules show that Herzog will travel next to Lalibela to observe heritage preservation projects supported by Israeli archaeologists, before departing on Wednesday. Further details of the bilateral agreements are expected when Ethiopian and Israeli ministers hold a follow-up meeting in Tel Aviv scheduled for next month.
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Source: Africa.
