BANQUET IN
HONOUR OF BULGARIAN LEADER
It is a great pleasure to welcome you and your entourage to Ethiopia and
to wish you a pleasant and enjoyable sojourn here among Our people. Speaking
both personally and for all Ethiopians. We are deeply gratified to have this
opportunity to convey to you and through you to the Bulgarian
people warm assurances of the continued respect and sympathy which bind Us
close. We are particularly fortunate in welcoming Your Excellency – a patriot
who struggled for the liberation of his country.
We are convinced that these exchanges of
visits will help to strengthen the bond of friendship between our two
countries. Relations between our two nations have expanded notably in recent
years as We have come to recognize the vast area of common interest and
potential which We share and can develop together to the benefit of both Our
peoples. The Bulgarian experience in overcoming her own economic problems can
be of great value to Ethiopia and there is much to be gained on both sides in
the application of this experience in the Ethiopian context. Bulgarian
assistance in the development of Ethiopia’s fishing industry is already showing
notable results, and We look forward to the expansion of collaboration between
us in this and other areas as our two nations proceed together along the path
of development. We would like to thank the Bulgarian Government for assistance
already rendered to Ethiopia.
As you are well aware, Your Excellency,
Ethiopia stands today as one of the great potential markets of Africa. The
development of her immense productive resources has already begun in earnest,
and the next few years will surely witness a substantial increase in her world
trade position. This rapid growth is now occurring and will continue because
our proud and ancient nation has after many centuries of isolation at last
stepped forward to join hands with the world, to seek knowledge and
understanding and to give of her own resources wherever necessary in the cause
of world peace and progress.
Common
Principles
As Our nations continue to aid and support
one another in their drive towards development We shall be enabled to further
the great principles which We share in common with all the enlightened peoples
of the world. United, We shall augment Our capacity to aid in the achievement
of world peace and to make available not only for Our peoples but for all
mankind as well, the freedom and opportunity which are the desired fruits of
world progress.
The nations of the world are today interdependent
in such a way that the suffering or privation of anyone is in greater or lesser
measure a stricture on all others. It is the duty of every world leader today
to require and accept the principle of the collective responsibility of all men
for the welfare of their brethren. We are confident, that in our meetings here
we shall find new ways to strengthen the links which already join our peoples
and to advance arm in arm towards the happy future which is Our hope not only
for Our own people but for all the world.
In the few days which you will spend in
Ethiopia, both you and your party will have the occasion to glimpse something
of the unique life and culture which characterize Our ancient nation. You will
learn something of the traditions of Our people and you will have the
opportunity to see and understand at first hand the warm friendship which they
extend to those who come as honoured guests in the name of peace and progress.
Let Us, then, raise Our glasses in toast
to the continuing and deepening friendship between the Bulgarian and Ethiopian
peoples, to their united growth in happiness and prosperity, and to the health
and long life of Our distinguished guest, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, and
Dr. Maleeva.
Nov. 23, 1965.
Selected Speeches of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie - page 133 – &
Important Utterances of H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I - page 553 -
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