ADDIS ABABA (Halbeeg) – Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki has officially reopened his country’s embassy in Ethiopia on Monday.
A well-organized ceremony was held at the refurbished embassy building.
State-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) showed Isaias raising the Eritrean flag as a military band played Eritrea’s anthem.
“The high-level Eritrean government delegation headed by President Isaias just left Addis Ababa for Asmara,” EBC reported after Isaias departed the embassy.
Prime Ahmed Abiy’s chief of staff, Fitsum Arega, said in a tweet better ties “will create the ideal conditions to address remaining strategic issues in the shared interest of the two nations.”
Nearly after 2 decades, Eritrea reopens its Embassy in #AddisAbaba in the presence of the two leaders. The full normalization of the relations bn #Ethiopia & #Eritrea will create the ideal conditions to address remaining strategic issues in the shared interest of the two nations. pic.twitter.com/GE4Yf00qVI
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) July 16, 2018
In a tweet Eritrea’s information minister, Yemane Meskel described the reopening of the embassy as “yet another milestone in the robust and special ties of peace and friendship both countries are cultivating with earnestness in these momentous times.”
Eritrean embassy in Addis Ababa was closed in 1998 when the relations between the two neighbouring countries worsen.
A former Ethiopian province, Eritrea seceded in 1993 after decades of bloody conflict.
Relations deteriorated further with the outbreak of war between 1998-2000 claiming some 80,000 lives.
President Isaias Afwerki & Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed preside over the ceremony of re-opening of the Eritrean Embassy in Addis Abeba. Yet another milestone in the robust & special ties of peace and friendship both countries are cultivating with earnestness in these momentous times pic.twitter.com/rnkw73VNei
— Yemane G. Meskel 🇪🇷 (@hawelti) July 16, 2018
Resuming of ties began last month after reformist Dr. Abiy announced that Ethiopia would implement the UN-mediated Algiers peace agreement signed by the two countries in December 2000 to end the war. The premier said Addis would hand back disputed border territory.The two countries have agreed to resume flights, develop sea ports and reopen link roads.
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