The Ethiopian Community Organization in Houston (ECOH) held a historic – first time ever – town hall meeting with H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of FDRE to USA, Ato Fitsum Arega and members of his delegation, Dr. Berhanemeskel Abebe Segni, Consul General Ethiopia in Los Angles, California; Mr. Biniam Eshetu Mekonnin, Minister for Diaspora Affairs; Mr. Nebiyu Daniel Meshesha, Minister for Public Diplomacy.

The well-attended meeting opened with a moment of silence observed for victims of the recent tragic events in Ethiopia led by representatives from various local religious denominations in the greater Houston area.

The most anticipated moment came when the floor was opened for Q and A. The questions included investment opportunities in Ethiopia, accessibility of mortgage loans to the Ethiopian diaspora, embassy and community relationship, the need for a consulate office in Houston to serve the Ethiopian community in the Texas area, process of democracy, the rule of law, the abuse of human rights and the unemployment crisis in Ethiopia.

Apart from addressing the questions on the floor, H.E. Ambassador Fitsum and Dr. Berhanemeskel underlined the importance of a strong working relationship that needs to exist between the embassy and the community and promised to engage the community in the embassy’s future endeavors.

At a late dinner following the meeting, the Ambassador and his delegation was introduced by ECOH to the two longtime friends of Ethiopia – the Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative for Texas 18th Congressional District, and Honorable Congressman, Al Green, U.S. Representative for Texas 9th Congressional District – in which both sides held fruitful discussion in the areas of investment, trade relations and strengthening existing relationships between Ethiopia and the United States of America.