Ethiopia – Conversation between Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and his Ethiopian counterpart (November 5, 2025)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot spoke with his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timotheos, on November 4.

During their very positive conversation, the Minister stressed France’s support for Ethiopia, particularly on the economic front, with France supporting the restructuring of the Ethiopian debt. They also explored the many prospects for bilateral economic cooperation created by the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s visit to Paris this past May, as well as the EU-Ethiopian Investment Forum held on November 4.

The two Ministers also discussed the situation in the Horn of Africa. Mr. Barrot called for de-escalation with Eritrea. A conflict between the two countries should have been avoided. He reaffirmed France’s readiness, and that of all its regional partners, to support de-escalation efforts.

The Minister shared with his counterpart the goals of the Africa Forward Summit that France and Kenya will co-host next May in Nairobi, which the Ethiopian minister noted with interest.