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ETHIOPIA-ERITREA-DIPLOMACY
Eritrea president to visit Ethiopia on Saturday
ADDIS ABABA, July 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Eritrea’s president, Isaias Afwerki,
will visit neighbouring Ethiopia on Saturday, an official said Friday, in the
latest step towards peace and reconciliation between the long-time foes.
“President Isaias Afwerki will lead a delegation and pay (an) official
visit to Ethiopia tomorrow, 14th July,” Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane
Gebremeskel said on Twitter.
“The visit will cement further/add momentum to the joint march for peace
and cooperation set in motion by both leaders.”
The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a declaration ending the state
of war between the two countries on Monday, during a groundbreaking visit to
Asmara by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The rapid rapprochement aimed at ending decades of animosity and conflict
was begun by Abiy who last month agreed to abide by a UN-backed border ruling
and hand disputed territories back to Eritrea.
That move opened the door to direct negotiations between Abiy and Isaias
and the proposed resumption of diplomatic and trade ties.
Telephone lines between the nations opened up this week for the first time
in two decades and direct flights are due to start next week.
Once a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea seceded in 1993 after a long
independence struggle, but a row over the demarcation of the shared border
triggered a brutal 1998-2000 conflict, from which relations are only now
recovering.
BSS/AFP/RY/13:55 hrs