Ethiopia–Serbia relations


Ethiopia–Serbia relations are bilateral ties between Ethiopia and Serbia. Since the time of Yugoslavia, relations between the two nations have been warm. Both Ethiopia and Serbia are majority Eastern Christian nations. Ethiopia is one of Serbia's strongest advocates in Africa when it comes to their position on the recognition of Kosovo.

History

Yugoslavia-Ethiopia relations

The former state of Yugoslavia maintained diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and shared membership of the NAM bloc. Josip Broz Tito granted Haile Selassie I the title of honorary citizen of the city of Belgrade. The first vessel of the Ethiopian Navy was a gift from Yugoslavia, and as a sign of thanks Marshal Tito was given a villa in Addis Ababa which is now the Serbian Embassy.

Contemporary relations

On January 27, 2012, after travelling to Addis Ababa in order to reaffirm Ethiopia's stance on Kosovo regarding Serbia, Vuk Jeremić and Haile Mariam signed a memorandum of understanding between the two nations' ministries of foreign affairs.

Trade

In March 2011, as a result of a meeting between Serbian tractor manufacturer Industrija Motora Rakovica announced it would begin exporting tractor frames and motors to Ethiopia for assembly. The first of the partially assembled tractors from Rakovica arrived in Ethiopia in May 2011.