The new European Commission president says she chose Africa as her first visit outside Europe

Ethiopia: The New EU President Made her First Trip to Africa

Addis Ababa (HAN) December 8th, 2019. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the newly elected European Commission president choses African continent as her first visit outside Europe as it has some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and some of its biggest challenges, including climate change in Europe and North America.

The EU leader, Ursula von der Leyen spoke after meeting with Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister on Saturday. Ethiopia hosts the African Union continental body.

The European Union has announced 170 million euros to support Ethiopia’s economy and its election in May. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed replied that “we still demand more financial support because we are ambitious.”

Ursula von der Leyen praised Ethiopia’s new leadership with Africa’s only current female president and its gender-balanced Cabinet and said it has given hope for the continent at large.

By. Samuel Gebre (bloomberg). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made her first official trip to Africa on Saturday with a two-day visit to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of the African Union.

Europe’s priorities of fighting climate change, the digital world, security and migration are aligned with the interests of Africa, von der Leyen said at a press briefing.

“Today, I have seen already that many of our priorities and interests coincide,” she said. “I am convinced that together we can find answers, together we can find and build solutions that work for Africa and Europe alike.”

Separately, the European Commission gave Ethiopia a 170 million euro ($188 million) grant to support political and economic reforms, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.


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