Navigating Stormy Diplomatic Seas: Ethiopia and the EU Balance Cooperation and Conflict

By Ermias Mulugeta

On April 29th, the European Union Commission issued a press release announcing visa restrictions and adjustments to the processing times for Ethiopian nationals. This decision was made after noting a decreased interest by the Ethiopian government in readmitting its nationals who are residing illegally in EU member states. The Commission explicitly stated that the cooperation from Ethiopian authorities was insufficient.

The imposition of these restrictions and the adjustment of processing times are significant issues that the country has faced in recent years, according to observers and political analysts. A veteran diplomat, wishing to remain anonymous, told PAV that the decision was not driven by Ethiopia's lack of interest in readmitting its citizens but rather reflects the diplomatic status between the two governments—Ethiopia and the EU.

Over the past years, especially during the two-year war in northern Ethiopia, authorities have reported significant diplomatic pressure from the international community. Observers suggest that this may be linked to prolonged diplomatic pressure.

In response to the EU Commission’s statement, the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels quickly expressed the government's dismay at the decision. The Embassy's brief statement indicated that the decision was made while the Ethiopian government was actively working on the return and reintegration of Ethiopian nationals who had been denied legal permits in a dignified, orderly, and safe manner.

The Embassy requested that the Commission reconsider its position and vowed to work vehemently for the return of Ethiopians illegally residing in EU member states.

PAV learned from a press conference held by Nebiyu Tedla, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, that the EU Commission’s decision on visa restrictions was deemed unfair. Nebiyu added that the Commission should revise its decision. During the press conference, the spokesperson emphasized the flourishing diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and the EU, stating that the latest decision does not define the diplomatic status of the two parties. Over the last five years, Ethiopia has pursued citizen-centered diplomacy and tried to repatriate nationals who have been imprisoned in perilous situations, particularly in Arab nations.

Media reports indicate that Ethiopia has warned the European Union to revise its decision regarding the recent visa restrictions and adjustment of the visa processing time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that there would be consequences for the EU’s decision from the Ethiopian side. Although the Ministry did not specify the potential measures or repercussions, it confirmed that Ethiopia has notified the EU while adhering to diplomatic protocols. Political observers and diplomatic experts suggest that Ethiopian authorities should moderate their approach to avoid escalating the situation.

Nebiyu clarified that the issue was not a visa restriction but an adjustment of the visa processing time from 15 days to 45 days. According to the minister, travelers who believe they are eligible to enter EU countries can apply for a visa.

PAV spoke with three individuals who had been denied a visa even though they had a travel history to multiple European countries. According to these individuals, they applied for a visa a few days before the EU’s statement, and the latest statement issued affected their visa process. “I have never been denied a Schengen Visa; this is the third time I have applied for a visa, and the previous two processes were successful,” said one of the informants, who was denied a Schengen Visa.

Following the EU’s latest statement, several concerns have been voiced in Ethiopia. A large number of high school and undergraduate students who have won scholarships and fellowship grants to study in European member states may be affected by the latest decision, which is one of the biggest concerns PAV has collected from the public. Though some opinions are saying that the latest statement of EU does not concern scholarship winners, the statement did not clearly stated that.

Several reports and litratures indicate that a significant influx of irregular migrants into EU countries is from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. Various arrangements have been made between the EU and these three countries. The tripartite treaty established by the three countries and the EU aims to minimize illegal migration from these countries to the EU. Although these agreements officially pertain to peace and security collaboration, sources, wishing to remain anonymous, told PAV that the EU financially supports the tripartite treaty to foster job creation in these countries to minimize illegal migration. However, the current status of that treaty is not clear.

Marta Foresti, a migration researcher and founder of LAGO, based in the UK, officially stated how Africans face high rejection rates in short-term visa applications in European countries. “African countries are disproportionately affected by high rejection rates for short-term European visas. This evident discrimination undermines cooperation, including on returns. Further restricting visas will only make things worse,” she stated in her latest article. Marta also noted that European countries are severely denying visas to Africans, notably to the youth. “There are numerous examples of people who have struggled to get a visa for a work meeting, artists who cannot make it to festivals, journalists who cannot report from certain countries, colleagues who are banned from some countries because of existing visas on their passports, or people who marry a ‘third country national’ and cannot live or go on holiday together.”

PAV attempted to reach out to the European Union Ethiopia Mission for further comments, but the office was not willing to comment on the matter.