High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will travel to Ethiopia and Djibouti on 15-16 July, the European External Action Service announced on 14 July. The visit includes high-level meetings and the signing of a Status of Forces Agreement for the EU naval operation ASPIDES.
In Addis Ababa, Kallas is scheduled to meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos. The discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations and regional security issues.
In Djibouti, Kallas will visit EU naval operations ASPIDES and ATALANTA. She will sign the EU-Djibouti Status of Forces Agreement for Operation ASPIDES with Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar and Defence Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan. Following the signing, Kallas will deliver public remarks alongside the two ministers around 14:30 CEST. She will also meet with Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed.
The Status of Forces Agreement will formalize the legal framework for EU personnel and assets operating in Djibouti in support of ASPIDES, which is tasked with protecting maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The visit underscores the EU's strategic engagement in the Horn of Africa, balancing diplomatic outreach in Ethiopia with operational support in Djibouti.
Audiovisual coverage of Kallas's engagements will be provided on EBS and X.