Addis Ababa, October 12, 2026 (FMC) — President Taye Atske-Selassie has reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to pursuing fair sea access through peaceful diplomacy and mutually beneficial regional cooperation, underscoring the importance of advancing the country’s strategic interests through constructive engagement.
Addressing the 19th National Flag Day observance on Monday under the theme “Our Flag for National Consensus and Unity,” the President emphasized that Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access should be guided by peaceful dialogue, diplomatic engagement and a spirit of give-and-take.
He stressed the importance of seeking an approach that takes regional interests into account and enables cooperation to deliver mutual benefits, rather than allowing differences to become a source of confrontation.
For Ethiopia, sea access is a strategic concern linked to its development ambitions and regional economic engagement. President Taye’s remarks reaffirmed the country’s determination to pursue this aspiration peacefully, through dialogue and cooperation with regional partners.
The President’s emphasis on mutual benefit underscores the importance of constructive engagement in addressing shared regional concerns. Through diplomacy and a willingness to pursue mutually advantageous arrangements, countries can seek solutions that serve their interests while contributing to broader regional cooperation.
His remarks also placed Ethiopia’s sea-access aspirations within the wider context of peace and regional stability, emphasizing the importance of pursuing national interests through peaceful means.
President Taye’s message reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to securing fair sea access through diplomacy and cooperation, with regional mutual benefit serving as a guiding principle in the pursuit of this strategic national aspiration.