[Published: Monday July 09 2018]
 Eritrea and Ethiopia to re-establish diplomatic ties
ASMARA 9 Jul (ANA) - Eritrea and Ethiopia are to re-establish diplomatic and trade ties after two decades of hostility.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki made the announcement during a landmark meeting in Eritrea's capital Asmara.
It is the first time the leaders from the two East African neighbours have met in almost 20 years.
Relations were severed following a border dispute which killed tens of thousands of people in the late 1990s.
A peace deal was signed in December 2000. However, Ethiopia refused to accept the final ruling of a border commission two years later, which awarded disputed territory to Eritrea, including the town of Badme.
The countries have been on a war footing ever since.
Sunday's meeting, which follows a visit to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa by an Eritrean delegation, comes after Mr Abiy said his country would accept the commission's ruling.
In speeches broadcast live on state television on Sunday, Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias said they had agreed to set up embassies in their respective capitals, while landlocked Ethiopia will be allowed to use Eritrean ports on the Red Sea.
The two countries will also resume flights between each other, as well as direct phone connections.(ANA)
FA/ANA/9 July 2018------ |
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