The diplomatic relationship beetween Ethiopia and Spain date back to the 1950s, specificaliy to the Spanish government entrusted the Spanish representation in Egipt with consular affairs in EthiopiaStarting from 1962, an embassy was established and its ambassador was Borja Montesino Martínez del Cerro, thus increasing the relationship between Ethiopia and Spain.
Especially after March 2004, when the Ethiopian Vice Minister visited Madrid and signed a cooperation treaty (MOU) between the two countries, Ethiopia became a priority country in the Africa Plan, which aims to support the development of developing countries such as Ethiopia.
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Every year, the African Union Summit takes place in Addis Ababa, and during these summits, Spain has shown a deep interest in increasing cooperation with African countries in social, political, economic, and counterterrorism aspects. Presidents Zapatero and Rajoi attended these summits.
Spain has demonstrated the importance of the relationship between Ethiopia, Spain, and African countries, such as the visit of King Felipe VI to the Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2015, where the King presented Spain as a solid and reliable ally of Africa, showing its support for the development of Africa. One of the most important and exciting anecdotes was when the King celebrated his 47th birthday in Addis Ababa.
In addition to diplomatic relations, Spain and Ethiopia also have economic relations. An important milestone was the start of direct flights from Madrid to Addis Ababa operated by the Ethiopian airline, Ethiopian Airlines.