Ethiopia Preparing to Use Port of Assab

Addis Ababa July 17/2018 Preliminary preparations are being underway to restart using the port of Assab in Eritrea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed. In a presser he gave here today, the Spokesperson, Meles Alem said preliminary activities are being carried by both sides to make use of the port. According to Meles, the preparation has started following the direction set by leaders of the two countries, as per the agreement concluded between the two countries recently. The two leaders have previously agreed to reinforce ties in diplomatic and economic areas. Recommencement of transport, trade and telecommunication ties as well as port services were among the priorities. Accordingly, Ethiopia has started repairing the road to the port of Assab, he said, adding similar work is in progress from the Eritrean side. A task force drawn from the Ministry of Transport; Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority and Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise has already established to follow the implementation, he indicated. Furthermore, he noted the two nations are working to forge friendship and ties between the two people, especially at the border areas. The two countries have already started activities that would help to restore diplomatic ties, the re-opening of the Eritrean Embassy in Addis Ababa this week is one of the steps. According to Meles, Ethiopia is also working to re-open its embassy in Asmara to forge diplomatic ties. President Isayas Afewerki has made a historic visit to Ethiopia last weekend, with the aim facilitating the normalization process. Isayas’ visit comes after the historic visit of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Asmara in a bid to thaw the relation between the two countries.