It is true, the news caught not only the external observers and the international public opinion in general, but also the Eritreans and Ethiopians themselves. As is well known, the Eritrean government has always maintained the position that the only possible peace would have been possible only with the full acceptance without preconditions by Addis Ababa of the terms of the Algiers Agreement of December 2000 and of the Commission decision on the borders of 2002 established on the basis of that Agreement.
Over the past 18 years, Meles Zenawi before and Hailemariam Desalegn had always set a "dialogue" for the Commission decision that was initially accepted and signed by both parties as definitive and binding, that is to say as unquestionable, but that Addis Ababa had never wanted to honor thus triggering a permanent situation of tension and "no peace, not war" that has long characterized the relations of the two countries.
The attitude and politics of Ethiopia have changed with the election of Dr. Abiy Ahmed to the position of prime minister. His courageous acceptance without preconditions followed by concrete steps just two months after his inauguration and the prompt response of President Isaias Afwerki have made possible a peace that seemed impossible for two decades. Between the two countries, a season of peace, mutual trust and cooperation that had been missing with Meles and Desalegni has finally begun.
The meetings between the Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have since been numerous and frequent and have initiated a rapid process of regional integration. How could you describe it to us? He also surprised the fact that, after the peace with Ethiopia, both the one with Djibouti and even the concordant decision of the Eritrean and Ethiopian government to involve Somalia in the process of pacification and regional integration. What perspectives do they open at this point for the Horn of Africa region?
The understanding between the two leaders and the normalization of relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia will have positive effects on the whole Horn of Africa. So much so that the leaders of Somalia, South Sudan and Djibouti have already been involved in the process. Asmara has taken on the role of center of gravity in a process that seems irreversible and leaves much hope for a better future for our peoples.
Following the signing of the bilateral agreement of July 9th, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, were twice in Asmara and the president of South Sudan, Salva Kir Meardit, once. Important agreements on bilateral and trilateral friendship and cooperation have been signed in Asmara. A tripartite delegation composed of the foreign ministers of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia went to Djibouti to also involve that country in the ongoing process. Eritrea and Djibouti have decided to end the tension lasting ten years peacefully.
In the Horn of Africa a season of peace, stability and cooperation is opening up which are the prerequisites for sustainable political, socio-economic and cultural development and, therefore, for regional integration for the benefit of all the peoples of the area not only from the geographical position of their countries, but also from their recent and less recent historical events, cultural and religious similarities and common destiny interests.
As far as Eritrea and Ethiopia are concerned, the 9 July Agreement is already being implemented: the restoration of flights of flag and telephone lines, the opening of the diplomatic offices in the two capitals, the resumption of port services, the establishment of a high-level Commission and several joint subcommittees to speed up the process, the withdrawal of troops and the removal of barriers and checkpoints along the border and, therefore, the free movement of persons and goods, ... I'm already a reality. In addition, bilateral and trilateral commissions are already at work (Eritrea-Ethiopia-Somalia) with the task of facilitating and accelerating the process.
Now more than ever it would be appropriate to increase Italy's proximity to Eritrea as well as to other countries in the region, not only to find a solution to the well-known migration issues but also to the various possibilities of cooperation and development that could be generated. In this regard, turning to the Italian political and economic world, what would you suggest and hope for? What should be the priorities to be followed?
In the Horn of Africa there is undoubtedly an important process that should be supported by the international community. Our countries should not be left alone in the face of the great challenges that surely exist.
Our hope is that Europe, and in particular an Italy strong in its geographical position, its historical knowledge and its proximity to the peoples of the region, can play a constructive role aimed not only at consolidating the peace process that has just begun , but also to support a process of sustainable development according to a strategy shared with the governments of the region.
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