UAE, Eritrea and Ethiopia Urge Int'l Community to Support Historic Peace, Dev't

Addis Ababa July 24/2018 The United Arab Emirates hailed today the historic peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia that paves the way for improved bilateral relations and contributes to enhancing the security and stability of the two countries in particular, the Horn of Africa and the wider region. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea held a tripartite summit today in Abu Dhabi. In a joint statement issued at the end of the tripartite meeting, Sheikh Mohamed praised the wisdom of President Afwerki and Prime Minister Ahmed, and commended the bold historic step that led to the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries, which reflects their astute statesmanship and paves the way for years of stability, development and prosperity for the neighboring countries. The statement underscored the deep relationship the UAE enjoys with both Eritrea and Ethiopia, and their common interests, which will enhance the prospects for peace and development based on this agreement, which is a solid foundation for peace and stability in the region. The UAE affirmed its support for the peace agreement between the two countries in the interest of maintaining a proper relationship in a framework of good neighborliness and respect for international laws and charters, according to Emirates News Agency. In their statement, the parties called on the international community to support this historic and constructive agreement to promote peace, stability and development and to benefit the peoples of the two countries and the wider region. The two leaders on their part appreciated the wisdom of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi King and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the contribution of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence, in sponsoring and pushing forward the peace agreement to be a catalyst for positive relations that will benefit the neighboring countries and the Horn of Africa. President Afwerki and Prime Minister Abiy thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their contribution to the efforts to end the dispute between the neighbors. The the statement noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have spared no effort to help the two countries re-establish good relations for the sake of their people and the wider region.