Ahmed Shide
Landlocked Ethiopia wants to make the re-opening of two roads connecting it to two of Eritrea's Red Sea ports a priority in the two nations' reconciliation process, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
In a move that ended a 20-year military stand-off, the Horn of African neighbours agreed on Monday to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights.
The historic reconciliation could transform politics and security in the volatile Horn region, which lies along one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
Ethiopian government spokesman Ahmed Shide said on Wednesday that the reopening of two critical roads leading to the ports of Assab in Eritrea's south and Massawa in the north would benefit the whole region.
"The unfolding developments will not only benefit our peoples, but the entire Horn of Africa region will be a part of these developments," Shide was quoted as saying in an interview published on the Eritrean information ministry's website.
Turkey welcomes recent efforts by Ethiopia and Eritrea to restore relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.In a written statement, the ministry said: “As a country attaching importance to stability in Africa, Turkey welcomes the steps taken towards the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the Joint Declaration signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia on 9 July in Asmara, during the visit of H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, to Eritrea.”The declaration was signed Monday during a landmark summit between the leaders of the two countries in the Eritrean capital.Ethiopia to roll out Eritrea deal fast to 'make up for lost opportunities'Ethiopia, Eritrea agree to reopen embassiesEthiopian leader visits Asmara for historic peace talksThe “state of war that existed between the two countries has come to an end,” Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel wrote on social media.“We believe that the normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries and people will support the development and prosperity of both countries and will enable a conducive environment for peace, stability and comprehensive cooperation in the Horn of Africa region,” the ministry statement added.After Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, border wars broke out.Some 70,000-80,000 people were killed on both sides when the two neighbors fought a bloody war in 1998-2000.
Turkey hails Ethiopia-Eritrea peace efforts
Ethiopia's prime minister said on Tuesday his government wanted to implement a deal restoring relations with former foe Eritrea quickly, to "make up for lost opportunities" after a two-decade military standoff.Abiy Ahmed signed an agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afkwerki on Monday, formally declaring the "state of war" between the neighbouring states was over.Ethiopian leader visits Asmara for historic peace talks"My government is keen to implement the terms we laid out in our Joint Declaration so as to quickly make up for lost opportunities and create even better ones for our people", Abiy said in a letter to Isaias that was posted on Twitter by Abiy's chief of staff.
Ethiopia to roll out Eritrea deal fast to 'make up for lost opportunities'
Ethiopian Airlines said on Tuesday it will resume flights to Eritrea's capital Asmara on July 17 for the first time in 20 years, a day after the neighbours and longtime foes declared their "state of war" over."With the opening of a new chapter of peace and friendship between the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to Asmara with the B787," said Tewolde GebreMariam, the firm's chief executive.Ethiopia, Eritrea agree to reopen embassiesEthiopian leader visits Asmara for historic peace talks
Ethiopian Airlines says will resume flights to Eritrea's capital Asmara
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is on a three-day visit to former rival Eritrea, on Sunday announced that the two countries have agreed to reopen embassies in their capitals and also to resume flights.“We have agreed to resume diplomatic relations; there would no more be the sad memory of war between the governments and peoples of the two countries,” he said at a high-level gathering the Eritrean capital Asmara.Earlier, a few hours after the Prime Minister’s arrival in Asmara, telecommunication services that had been down for more than 20 years has come to life.Upon arrival at the Asmara airport, Ahmed received a rapturous welcome with Eritreans out on the streets singing and chanting, spreading flowers and popcorn on the streets in a typical Eritrean tradition.In May this year, Ethiopia announced that it would implement the December 2000 Algiers agreement and the decisions of the International Boundary Commission.The Algiers agreement came after the two neighbors fought a bloody war from 1998-2000 in which 70,000-80,000 people perished on both sides.The international boundary commission later decided that Badme, a borderland that was a flashpoint of the conflict, belonged to Eritrea while it ruled that Eritrea should compensate Ethiopia for the huge amount of Ethiopian shipment confiscated in Assab Port.Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1993.
Ethiopia, Eritrea agree to reopen embassies
Also on Wednesday, Ethiopian President Abiye Ahmed's chief of staff wrote on Twitter that Ethiopian and Eritrean passport holders would be able to travel to the other country and obtain visas on arrival.
The changes are sweeping away years of hostility and raising hopes in both countries for a lucrative peace dividend.
Access to the ports of Assab and Massawa could greatly help Ethiopia's push to boost their exports and increase hard currency earnings, analysts say.
The country of 100 million is heavily dependent on ports in tiny neighbour Djibouti, but since Abiy took office, has also negotiated access to a port in Sudan.