Ethiopia's importance grows for the stability of the Red Sea, a global trade route.
Connecting the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea is the shortest route between Europe and Asia, and 30% of global container traffic passes through this strait.
Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa, possessing a strong military foundation and a long diplomatic tradition.
The country plays a leading role in regional security, including in countering Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and significantly contributes to stability as a political and security hub in the Horn of Africa.
The United States, which operates a military base in Djibouti, focuses on strengthening Ethiopia's maritime access to deter Red Sea maritime crime and armed piracy. Based on the judgment that enhanced maritime access for Ethiopia would be advantageous in responding to maritime crime and armed piracy, the U.S. regards them as a reliable partner.
Despite having a military base in Djibouti, the U.S. values Ethiopia's strategic leadership and believes that enhanced Ethiopian maritime access will be beneficial in responding to Red Sea maritime crime and armed piracy.
Ethiopia's expanded role in the region is a strategy to promote mutual benefits. It has the potential to transform the Red Sea from a space of conflict into a bridge of development and coexistence.
It can play a role in sharing security and defense responsibilities in the region. This is a win-win path that realizes common interests in international relations.
Answers come from the transcript, with the exact spot cited.
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