May 28 victory day and 3rd year Anniversary of the
GERD colourfully celebrated in Brussels
May
31, 2014 - The Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels together with Ethiopians and
Foreign Nationals of Ethiopian origin living in Belgium, Netherlands and
Luxembourg colourfully celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the May 28 Victory
Day and the 3rd anniversary of the launch of the construction of the Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Saturday.
On the
occasion, Ambassador Teshome Toga, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of Ethiopia to the EU Institutions and the Benelux and Baltic countries said, Ethiopians
have witnessed an incredible transformation of their country in the last two
decades evolving from a “basket case” and a pathetic state to its present
status as dynamic and strong nation with considerable political and economic
power in such a short time.
Ambassador
Teshome briefed the audience that the country has registered a successful broad
based and fast economic growth in all sectors that has brought a positive
change to the image of the country. He further elaborated the results achieved
in the last three GTP years as 10.9% economic development in Agriculture,
Industry and Service and infrastructure sectors and that Ethiopia is one of the
few African countries on course to achieve the MDG goals by 2015.
Furthermore,
Ambassador Teshome noted the commitment of the leadership to transform the
country to a middle income status in the coming 10 years and the consistency of
the Ethiopian leadership that has been repeatedly demonstrated to engage members
of the Diaspora on the major development projects, the performance of the
Growth and Transformation Plan, and the investment opportunities available in the
country.
Regarding
the 3rd anniversary of the launch of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam, Ambassador Teshome underlined its significance and symbolism
to all Ethiopians as a rallying point and that the GERD project will enable
Ethiopia to completely cover the country’s internal power needs which have been
growing at an average rate of 25% a year. He further pointed out the dam to be
a reliable and affordable source of energy for the wellbeing of the population
but also for the economic growth and poverty-reduction efforts being undertaken
by the country.
In
relation to the media campaign of Egypt towards the Dam, Ambassador Teshome
explained Ethiopia’s position as demonstrated in its determination to promote fair
and equitable utilization of the resource among all the Nile riparian countries
and it was at the proposal of Ethiopia that the International Panel of Experts
conducted its studies of the impact of the GERD project on lower riparian
countries; and Ethiopia immediately accepted in full the recommendations of the
IPoE Report, and has set about implementing them.
In this
connection and contrary to some media reports, Ethiopia has not rejected
proposals presented by Egypt but is encouraging Egypt to come back to the
tripartite forum to genuinely negotiate for a win-win and mutually beneficial
utilization of the River by all riparian countries.
Finally,
Ambassador Teshome Toga, urged members of the diaspora living in the Benelux Countries
to voice Ethiopia’s just stand on GERD and continue their contributions through
buying of Bonds and mobilisation in collaboration with the GERD councils in
each city. In addition he called up on members of the Diaspora to increase
their participations in the country’s economic developments through investment
and other capacity building activities.
During
the event, Members of the Diaspora in the Benelux countries have raised 137,800
Birr for the construction of GERD.