Ethiopia, Eritrea to Reinforce Economic Ties in Various spheres

Addis Ababa July 9, 2018 Ethiopia and Eritrea agreed to re-establish economic ties in various spheres including the utilization of port services, aviation and re-establishment of formal diplomatic missions. Premier Abiy's historic official visit to Asmara after the Ethio-Eritrea border war is the first of its kind in almost a quarter of the century. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki made the announcement during a milestone meeting in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea aimed at ending decades of diplomatic and armed discord. During his speech in the National Palace of Eretria, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the ports, airlines and other economic facilities will be operational soon for the benefit of both countries. “We agreed that the airlines will start operating, the ports will be accessible, people can move between the two countries and the embassies will be opened,” Abiy said at an official dinner. “We will demolish the wall and, with love, build a bridge between the two countries,” Premier Abiy affirmed. He added that Ethiopia and Eritrea have entered into a new era to develop their countries in cooperation and this would highly benefit the two countries and the Horn of Africa at large. “Ethiopians can visit their families, friends and beloved ones in Eritrea, similarly Eritreans can visit their Ethiopian families and friends there is no more boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea after this but there is love,” Abiy said. The Premier said that Eritrea and Ethiopia will continue their journey to development and re-establish a bridge of love. Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki said the Prime Minister's call to re-establish peace and economic ties with his country is honest and truthful. “I would like to thank my Eritrean countrymen for their heartfelt welcome to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and his delegation, the people of the two countries are one people living in two countries, so love and peace will continue between them and I would like to express my deepest gratitude for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his visit,” he said. It is to be recalled that a good will delegation composed of higher government officials from Eretria had made a working visit to Ethiopia to facilitate re-establishment of amicable relations between both countries.