Addis Ababa, April 21, 2026 The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Gideon Timotheos, held high-level talks with Beate Meinl-Reisinger, the Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs, at his office in Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the historical ties between Ethiopia and Austria, highlighting the significant untapped potential for expanding cooperation in political, economic, educational, cultural, and multilateral areas.

Minister Gideon briefed his Austrian counterpart on Ethiopia’s economic reform program, outlining key investment opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, and digital infrastructure.

Minister Meinl-Reisinger expressed Austria’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Ethiopia, emphasizing the importance of strengthening business links, facilitating trade and investment missions, and supporting institutional partnerships in innovation, technology transfer, and skills development.

She also noted the active participation of Austrian companies in the recent EU-Ethiopia Business Forum.

This year, Ethiopia and Austria celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations, an achievement both sides described as a solid foundation for a future partnership.

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II. Its name means “New Flower” in Amharic, and it has since grown into a major political and cultural hub for Africa, hosting the headquarters of the African Union. The city is known for its rich history, blending traditional Ethiopian culture with modern development, and features landmarks like the National Museum, which houses the famous fossil “Lucy.”

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the oldest independent nations in Africa, with a rich history dating back to the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, a major trading empire. It is famously the only African country to successfully resist European colonization during the Scramble for Africa, except for a brief Italian occupation in the 1930s. The country is also known for its unique cultural heritage, including the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the origins of the coffee plant.

Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe known for its rich cultural heritage, including classical music, alpine landscapes, and historic cities like Vienna and Salzburg. Historically, it was the heart of the powerful Habsburg monarchy, which ruled much of Europe for centuries until the empire’s dissolution after World War I. Today, Austria is a modern democratic republic and a member of the European Union, celebrated for its contributions to art, architecture, and outdoor recreation.