Islamabad – The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to enhance bilateral relations through deeper cultural cooperation, fostering stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations.
The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting between H.E. Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary of Ethiopia, and H.E. Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb Khichi, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan. H.E. Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani, Federal Secretary for the National Heritage and Culture Division, was also present.
Strengthening Cultural and Aviation Ties
Ambassador Dr. Jemal emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations and highlighted the recent launch of Ethiopian Airlines operations in Karachi, which now connects Pakistan directly to Africa and beyond. He described this development as a significant step toward facilitating tourism, trade, and cultural interaction between the two countries.
Introducing Ethiopia’s “Medemer” Philosophy
The Ambassador briefed Minister Khichi on Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s “Medemer” philosophy, which promotes nation-building through inter-generational unity, solidarity, and collective progress. He noted that PM Abiy Ahmed, a prolific writer, has authored three books on the subject.
As a gesture of goodwill, Ambassador Dr. Jemal presented Minister Khichi with a copy of “Generation Medemer”, a book unveiled in Pakistan in 2023 and later added to the collection of the National Library of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Positive Response & Commitment to Collaboration
Minister Khichi expressed deep interest in the “Medemer” philosophy and announced plans to translate “Generation Medemer” into Urdu, Pakistan’s national language, to make it accessible to a wider audience.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to cultural cooperation, the Minister praised the Ambassador’s proposals for joint initiatives in heritage and culture. He assured that Pakistan would take all necessary steps to formalize and expand cultural exchanges with Ethiopia.
Next Steps
The two sides agreed to explore further collaborations, including:
- Cultural exchange programs and exhibitions.
- Joint research and academic initiatives on shared heritage.
- Enhanced tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
This meeting marks a significant step toward deepening Pakistan-Ethiopia relations, leveraging culture and philosophy as bridges for mutual understanding and cooperation.
BY: The Times Union
