Images of Friendship: Ethiopia and Belgium Mark 120 Years of Diplomatic Relations

By Dmytro Melnyk, Olha Horina and Saadia Ajbaili

Overview

On Thursday, 28 May, the Press Club Brussels hosted the opening of a photo exhibition titled "Images of Friendship: 120th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Ethiopia and Belgium." The event was organised by the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Brussels and marked the formal start of a year of commemorations dedicated to the bilateral relationship between the two countries. The programme opened with the national anthems of Ethiopia and Belgium, followed by remarks from the Ethiopian and Belgian sides, a historical presentation, and the official opening of the exhibition itself.

The evening was led by the Ambassador Eshete Tilahun Woldeyes, Head of Mission of Ethiopia to Belgium and the European Union, who served as the main organiser. The Belgian Guest of Honour was Ambassador Hubert Roisin, Chief of Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium. A pre-recorded message from H.E. Annelies Verstichel, Ambassador of Belgium to Ethiopia and the African Union, was also presented. Guests included members of the diplomatic corps in Brussels and representatives of cultural and academic institutions.

A Strong Relationship Between Countries

In his opening address, Ambassador Eshete Tilahun reminded the audience that while the official anniversary marks 120 years since the signing of the Trade Agreement between Ethiopia and Belgium on 6 September 1906 by Emperor Menelik II and Consul General Hector Henin in Addis Ababa, the relationship between the two peoples runs deeper than that date. Contacts between Belgian representatives and Ethiopian power centres are recorded as early as 1851, during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II. Belgian diplomat Édouard Blondeel van Cuelebroeck, appointed by King Leopold I, travelled to Ethiopia between 1840 and 1842. The widely traded Maria Theresa Thaler, first minted in 1741 in Austria and later circulated in Belgian markets, was for generations one of the most trusted coins in Ethiopia, a quiet but lasting marker of early economic exchange.

The historical depth of the relationship was further explored in a presentation titled "A Tale of Two Lions," delivered by Mr. Tim Ianna. His account focused on the twentieth century, with particular attention to the visit of Crown Prince and Regent Ras Tafari Makonnen, the future Emperor Haile Selassie, to Belgium in 1924, where he was received by King Albert I during a wider European tour that also took him to Paris, London, and Geneva. The presentation traced subsequent high-level exchanges, including Emperor Haile Selassie's official visit to Belgium in 1959 and the return visit of King Baudouin to Ethiopia in 1972, alongside the early social and economic ties that connected the two countries through trade, education, and diplomatic correspondence.

Historical Background

Ambassador Eshete also mentioned moments of solidarity that, in his words, "cemented the enduring partnership between our two countries." He cited the case of Belgian jurist and diplomat Henri Rolin, who took part in preparing the Treaty of Versailles and the Covenant of the League of Nations, and who later resigned from the Belgian delegation in 1935 in protest against instructions not to speak in support of sanctions against Italy for its aggression against Ethiopia. "Ethiopia, Italy and the League of Nations faced each other as Ethiopia was temporarily weakened, rising and demanding to continue the struggle," Rolin had said at the time, in a statement quoted by the Ambassador. Belgian soldiers also fought alongside Ethiopians in 1941 against fascist occupation, and Belgium played a role in the establishment of the Ethiopian Imperial Body-guard. "We are eternally grateful," Ambassador Eshete said.

Today's Partnership and Future Perspectives

Beyond history, the Ambassador outlined the current state of the relationship. Belgium is today one of Ethiopia's leading trading partners and the fifth largest market for Ethiopian coffee. Ethiopian Airlines operates daily direct flights between Addis Ababa and Brussels, with Liège Airport serving as its European cargo hub. Ethiopia's diplomatic mission in Brussels is its largest in Europe, with a presence spanning more than half a century. Academic cooperation, supported by the Flemish Inter-University Council for Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS) and the Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur (ARES), has enabled more than 5,000 Ethiopian students and researchers to study in Belgium.

Recent developments include the first Ethiopia–Belgium Political Consultation held in Addis Ababa on 9 October 2025, two large business forums hosted in both capitals, and ongoing climate cooperation focused on afforestation and wetland restoration, including efforts to protect the Lake Chamo ecosystem. With Ethiopia set to host COP32 in 2027, the Ambassador signalled that climate cooperation will be a growing pillar of the partnership.