Following the talks, Valentina Matvienko highlighted the alignment between Russia and Ethiopia on international matters and their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
During the three-day official visit of the Federation Council delegation to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. She conveyed greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasising the Russian leader’s expectation of continuing their constructive dialogue. The Federation Council Speaker also highlighted the high regard in which the Russian parliament and society hold the mutual understanding between the leaders of both countries.
The talks extended beyond the scheduled time, which, according to the Speaker of the Federation Council, is a clear testament to both sides’ strong interest in expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas in line with the national interests of Ethiopia and Russia. “Ethiopia is a key partner for Russia in Africa, and we share a long history of mutually beneficial relations.”
Valentina Matvienko emphasised that the primary goal of the parliamentary delegation’s visit to Ethiopia is to enhance collaboration between legislative bodies, refine the legal framework, ratify intergovernmental agreements, and foster the continued development of bilateral relations. Another key objective, she noted, is to stimulate trade and economic cooperation, which she believes holds significant potential. “In 2024, trade turnover grew more than fourfold, with both export and import figures showing substantial growth,” she said.
The Speaker of the Federation Council said that Russian companies are highly interested in participating in Ethiopia’s energy, pharmaceutical, and agricultural projects, as well as in cooperation within the peaceful nuclear sector. A high-level delegation travelled to Ethiopia to strengthen and promote ties, including Chairman of the Russian side of the Intergovernmental Russian-Ethiopian Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko, along with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, state corporations Rosatom and VEB.RF, and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The Speaker of the Federation Council noted that, given the federal structure of both states, interregional cooperation at various levels represents a promising area for growth.
Valentina Matvienko reaffirmed the invitation for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister to visit Moscow for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In response, Abiy Ahmed Ali assured her that Ethiopia would be represented at the highest level on May 9, 2025 – either by the Prime Minister or the President, depending on their schedules. Additionally, the Ethiopian leader shared his positive impressions of St Petersburg, which he visited last year for the SPIEF and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Abiy Ahmed Ali also highlighted the significance of inter-parliamentary cooperation and regular engagement between legislators in fostering large-scale development of Russian-Ethiopian relations.
Following the talks, Valentina Matvienko told journalists that she views the Ethiopian Prime Minister as a responsible leader committed to his country’s sovereign development, which rightfully aspires to regional leadership. She noted that Russia and Ethiopia share similar or identical positions on most key international issues. “This is a country that does not yield to external pressure, directives, or recommendations. Ethiopia has its own stance on every issue and knows how to defend it while upholding its sovereignty. In recent years, it has gained significant influence and authority, not only in Africa but on the global stage as well. The fact that Ethiopia has joined BRICS speaks volumes – it opens up new opportunities for cooperation between our nations, as well as collaboration within the UN and other international platforms,” she said.
The Federation Council Speaker mentioned that she also informed Ethiopia’s leader about the topics of her upcoming discussions with the chairpersons of the upper and lower houses of the FDRE Parliament. She emphasised that Russian senators are prepared to provide legislative support to facilitate the implementation of agreements reached at the highest level. “I believe we will achieve significant, concrete results. I intend to present a detailed report to President Vladimir Putin, who has given special instructions and is closely monitoring the visit.”