Addis Ababa, July 9, 2018 (FBC) –Ethiopia and Eritrea have agreed to restore diplomatic relations.
The two countries reached to the agreements following the visit of Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed to Eritrea yesterday.
Upon arrival at Asmara, the Ethiopian Prime Minister was welcomed by Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki and other senior Eritrean government officials.
The two leaders also attended a dinner and announced new measures.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy on the occasion said "We have agreed to reopen embassies in our respective countries, allow our people to visit each other's cities and allow our airlines and ports to operate freely."
Moreover, the two countries have also agreed to restore a direct international telephone connection between them.
Ethiopian Premier further said the two leaders have "agreed to bring down the wall between us. Now there is no border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. That border line has gone today with the display of a true love ... love is greater than modern weapons like tanks and missiles.”
“Love can win hearts, and we have seen a great deal of it today here in Asmara. From this time on, war is not an option for the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia. What we need now is love."
The Eritrean leader also expressed his delight about the new era of friendly relations between the two countries.
"The Eritrean people have today got the chance to express their true love and emotion for Ethiopians," said Isaias.
"We can imagine that the decisions the prime minister of Ethiopia took was not a simple one. But we can assure you we will face the future together. We will work as one," he said.
