Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for an official working visit, the first stop on an extensive African tour. The Russian minister’s arrival was marked by a notable protocol change. He was not greeted at the airport by his Ethiopian counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Timotheos. Instead, he was welcomed at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport by Ambassador Meles Alem, Director General for European and American Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Strengthening relations within the BRICS framework
This visit comes at a time of growing momentum in Russian-Ethiopian relations, particularly following Ethiopia’s full membership in the BRICS group. This diplomatic activity aims to broaden cooperation beyond the areas discussed during Lavrov’s previous visit in July 2022. The partnership between Addis Ababa and Moscow now transcends traditional frameworks to encompass deeper economic and political coordination.
Talks agenda: from bilateral to international issues
According to the Russian news agency TASS, Lavrov is scheduled to hold a series of talks today, Tuesday, with high-ranking Ethiopian officials, including Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos. Discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and mechanisms for cooperation within the BRICS group. In addition, pressing regional and international issues will be addressed.
Russian sources indicate that Moscow and Addis Ababa share similar positions on many international issues, providing them with room for joint action in multilateral forums. Lavrov’s agenda also includes briefing Ethiopian officials on developments in the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, intensive coordination is underway to prepare for the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to be held in Moscow next October.
It is worth noting that Ethiopia’s participation in the recent BRICS summit in Kazan solidified its role as a key player in the bloc. This places Lavrov’s current visit within the context of “consolidating gains” and coordinating political visions ahead of the upcoming African summit. This is despite the questions raised by the protocol arrangements at Addis Ababa airport regarding the significance of the Ethiopian Foreign Minister’s absence from the welcoming ceremony.
