Leaving a decades-long conflict behind them, leaders from Ethiopia and Eritrea are finally gathering to resolve disagreements and join efforts in order to improve the situation in poverty-stricken areas.

Asselborn applauded this historical reconciliation. Both countries can only profit from the cooperation, he stressed.

On a less positive note, Asselborn also addressed Eritrea's comparatively poor human rights record after visiting a refugee camp. At the same time, he also expressed hope that the Ethio-Eritrean reconciliation could give birth to the required political and economic reforms. The discussions between the two countries could be key to improvement, Asselborn hoped.