Eritrean President Vows to ‘Bolster Cooperation’ with Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki vowed Thursday to boost cooperation with Ethiopia on the last day of his two-day visit that came as the peace process was seen as having lost momentum.

Isaias flew to Addis Ababa Wednesday for his first meeting with the Ethiopian prime minister since Abiy Ahmed won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for initiating a thaw between the two nations.

Isaias expressed gratitude for the hospitality accorded to his delegation during the visit.

He pledged to work with “vigor to recoup lost opportunities by three generations to bolster (a) new chapter of cooperation between the two countries”, Eritrea’s communications minister, Yemane Meskel, said in a tweeted message.

Isaias and Abiy on Thursday laid the cornerstone of the future Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa.

“We are providing the land for the building of Eritrea Embassy in a deep spirit of friendship,” PM Abiy said.

After the two leaders first met and embraced on the tarmac in Asmara, the Eritrean capital, last year, they reopened embassies, resumed flights and held a series of meetings across the region.

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By agncies

Image: President Isaias (L) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met this week for the first time since Abiy won the 2019 Nobel peace prize. 

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