Speaking at the 11th annual Ethiopian Cultural Evening held in UK on 9th March, 2010, ambassador Berhanu, said the country has undertaken important reforms and institution–building measures to strengthen the foundation of democracy in the nation.   

He said the new parliamentary procedure, adopted for the purpose of promoting vibrant democratic dispensation in the parliament, the numerous reforms in the judiciary sector to ensure its independence, the press law adopted by parliament, and the restructuring of the national electoral board and appointment of its new post –holders, are just a few of the measures.    

In addition to the above mentioned reforms, which are central to expanding and promoting democratic space, a very important code of conduct has been signed by the vast majority of political parties competing in the upcoming election, he indicated.   

The ambassador said the comprehensive document, entitled election code of conduct, was discussed and agreed to by all 65 parties participating in the election. The document is now ratified and enriched as the national election law.    

According to Berhanu, this year’s elections will be different from the three preceding election as it is taking place immediately after a series of democratic reforms have begun to bear fruit.    

He further said despite the global economic and financial downturn, a double digit economic growth rate has continued uninterrupted in the country for the last seven years.    

He said the country is duly recognized by the IMF and the World Bank as the fastest growing non-oil producing Sub-Saharan African country. The total GDP of the country has reached 35 billion USD and has become the largest economy in the region.   

In the education and health sectors, Ethiopia’s name is mentioned on the list of the few countries expected to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ambassador Berhanu noted.   

He said beyond the expansion of the primary school enrolment, a comprehensive program is under implementation to expand and improve secondary, technical and vocation training as well as university education.       

He added the Ethiopian health care system, which is prominently focusing on prevention, is being expanded and the hospital system is being improved. The Ministry of Health is now fully engaged in a countrywide scaling up of its successful programs.    

He further said the roads network has grown more in the last ten years than in the previous hundred years.     He indicated that Ethiopia’s strategy to expand new and environmentally-friendly renewable sources of the energy is under implementation. This year it will commission three hydro-electric dams that will generate about 1,000 MW. This will mitigate the power shortages the country faced in the past.        

He added the subsequent completion of the hydro-stations Gilgel Gibe III and IV will enable the country to be fully self-sufficient in the supply of hydroelectricity and will offer the possibility of exporting energy to neighboring countries such as Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya.   

The ambassador also hailed the UN Security Council's decision to impose sanctions on Eritrea as "just and appropriate". He further urged members of the international community to exert efforts for the effective implementation of the sanctions.

The ambassador finally called on the people and government of the UK and other friends to join Ethiopia’s effort to establish an irreversible democratic system, alleviate poverty, build a middle-income democratic society and ensure sustainable development.