EU considers lifting visa curbs on Ethiopia  

The restrictions, put in place in April 2024, made it harder for Ethiopians to get visas.

People with diplomatic and service passports had to pay visa fees, and the waiting time for visas increased from 15 working days to 45.

According to the EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sophie Frommsberger, the relationship between Ethiopia and the EU is improving.

“Trust has been built to bring the Ethiopian government and the European Union, which have been strained by the war in northern Ethiopia, back on track through constructive dialogue.”

The EU imposed the visa restrictions because Ethiopia was not taking back its citizens whose asylum applications in Europe were rejected however, Ethiopian embassies in Europe are now working with the EU to fix the issue.

“It is on our agenda. The Ethiopian government, together with Ethiopian embassies in Europe, has shown great progress in accordance with international law,” the ambassador was quoted by the Ethiopian Reporter.

The EU is also discussing whether to restart financial aid to Ethiopia, which was stopped during the war in the north. The ambassador said there is interest in supporting Ethiopia again, but no final decision has been made.

Another major concern for the EU is the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

The ambassador said the EU is pushing for an end to the fighting and wants all sides to come to the negotiating table.

The EU also raised concerns about human rights in Ethiopia at a recent UN meeting.

The ambassador said the EU alone cannot replace the aid Ethiopia lost when former US President Donald Trump cut American support.

She has therefore called for the international community to come together to help.