Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has put Ethiopia's key national interests—access to the Red Sea and the equitable use of the Abay waters—firmly on the table, calling for regional cooperation and shared growth.

Regarding Abay, he stated that the country's position is clear: both Egyptians and Sudanese are our brothers. He underscored that Ethiopia will neither plan nor act in a way that harms any party, reiterating that the most beneficial path is "to grow together through dialogue and cooperation."

PM Abiy's vision for prosperity is anchored in peace, as he firmly reiterated that Ethiopia does not want to go to war with Eritrea and has always sought, and will continue to seek, peace, especially as the nation is focused on completing so many mega-projects. In a strong gesture of diplomacy, the prime minister affirmed his willingness to travel to Asmara, Eritrea, if his trip will yield positive results.

On the matter of Abay, PM Abiy reaffirmed Ethiopia's natural and legal right to utilize the waters, arguing that its resources are sufficient for shared and equitable use. While acknowledging that Ethiopia has "long faced unjust decisions made against its national interests" regarding the Abay, the country remains committed to a position of fraternity.

Furthermore, regarding the Red Sea, the Prime Minister deemed it appropriate to ask the critical question, "Who made the decision that caused Ethiopia to lose the Red Sea?" He stressed that this is an existential matter and a legal, historical, geographical, and economic question that must be approached calmly and thoughtfully. He highlighted a major concern, noting that when tracing the decision to deprive Ethiopia of its sea access, "institutions were not involved."

He asserted that Ethiopia cannot exist in isolation, and its message to neighbors is that the country's growth will serve as a source of development and prosperity for the entire region, promoting shared growth and mutual progress through cooperation.