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. In Addis Ababa, she is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos. In Djibouti, Kallas will visit EU naval operations ASPIDES and ATALANTA, and 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, she will deliver public remarks alongside the two ministers. The High Representative will also meet Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed. Audiovisual coverage will be provided on EBS and X. The trip underscores the EU's strategic engagement in the Horn of Africa, focusing on security cooperation and bilateral ties. The Status of Forces Agreement will formalize the legal framework for EU naval personnel in Djibouti, supporting anti-piracy and maritime security efforts under Operation ASPIDES.
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