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ERI-NEWS

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Cohesion and theDefence of Sovereignty

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
President Isaias Received the Credentials ofEleven Ambassadors
President Isaias Afwerki, on 18 April,
received the credentials of elevenAmbassadors.

Vol 4. Issue 67
02 May 2017
Inside this issue:

Senior Eritrean
Delegation
Conferred with 3
Chinese Officials

The Ambassadors who presented theircredentials are:1. H.E. Aykut Kumbaroglu of Turkey,
2. H.E. Yang Zigang of the People’s
Republic of China,
3. H.E. Joff Otieno Makowenga of theRepublic of Kenya,
4. H.E. Raza Bashir Tarar of theIslamic Republic of Pakistan,
5. H.E. Karin Boven of theNetherlands,
6. H.E. James Kimonyo of theRepublic of Rwanda,
7. H.E. Lee Kiseong of the Republic ofKorea,
8. H.E. Amrit Lugun of India,
9. H.E. Japhet Isaack of the Republicof Namibia,
10. H.E. Bard Hopland of the Kingdom of Norway, and
11. H.E. Ma Yong Hui of the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaContd. on page 2

Eritrea Urged theUNSC to Lift theUnjust and4
Counterproductive
Sanctionsand End the Illegal
Occupation
23rd Commemoration of Rwandan
Genocide Observed 5in Asmara
Tour of Eritrea
2017: Pedaling forFriendship

6

Contact Addresses:
Tel: +251-116620052
Fax:+251-116620011
Email:eritreanaumission@
gmail.com
P.o.Box: 5527
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Eritrean Mission toAU& ECA@EritreaAU

Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017

Page 2Eri-News

President Isaias Received the Credentials of Eleven Ambassadors(Contd. from page 1)
In the meeting with the Chinese Ambassador,
Mr. Yang Zigang, President Isaias pointed out that thebilateral relations between the two countries that has
existed for over 50 years now, is being strengthened
and expanded through solid cooperation in various
sectors.
In his discussions with the Indian Ambassador,
Mr. Amrit Lugun, President Isaias expressed Eritrea’s
profound appreciation for India’s significant contribution in the country’s human resources development
drive, and underlined the Government of Eritrea’s
desire for its continuity.
President Isaias intimated to Pakistan’s Ambassador,
Mr. Raza Bashir Tarar, that Eritrea fondly recognizes
Pakistan’s historical stance as one of the few countries
that staunchly supported Eritrean independence in the1940s. The two countries can build on the historical
relations to further strengthen their bilateral ties offriendship and cooperation, President Isaias underlined.
Speaking with the Ambassadors of Kenya, Rwanda
and Namibia, President Isaias pointed out that existingties with those countries has not developed asexpected. The President emphasized that frameworks
of integration and mutual cooperation were imperativeto secure regional peace and stability.
In the meeting with Ambassador Aykut Kumbarogluof Turkey, President Isaias expressed Eritrea’s
readiness to reinforce the existing good relation withTurkey in the economic, political and diplomatic
domains.
Similarly, President Isaias referred to shared values,
prevailing opportunities for cooperation and theimperative to stand on the side of justice and legality
as a basis for cultivating bilateral ties with all the otherAmbassadors.
After the credentials handover ceremony, theAmbassadors were given a tour of Asmara’s art-decobuildings including cinemas, Fiat Tagliero, Mosques,Churches and the central post office.
Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017

Page 3Eri-News

Senior Eritrean Delegation Conferred with Chinese Officials
A senior Eritrean delegation comprising Foreign
Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Advisor Mr.
Yemane Gebreab conducted a five-day working visit
to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation ofthe Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi.

The Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Yi on hispart gave extensive briefing as regards the cooperation
programs mapped out during the FOCAC Summit
which was held in 2015 in Johannesburg, South
Africa, and expressed his country’s conviction tostrengthen cooperation and partnership with Eritrea inall sectors.
Mr. Wang Yi also reaffirmed that his country willraise the issue of sanctions imposed on Eritrea in theUN and will stand alongside Eritrea on various sectorsof cooperation.
The delegation met and held talks on 19 April withMr. Song Tao, Minister of International Department of
the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, andon 20 April with Mr. Yang Jiechi, State Councilor,

On 18 April, the delegation held
extensive discussions with the Chinese Foreign Minister on various
issues and particularly as regards
reinforcing the existing bilateralties of cooperation between the twocountries, strengthening ChinaAfrica relationship and that ofChina and the Horn of Africa as
well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest toboth countries.
and Vice President, Li Yuanchao on
bilateral relations and issues of concern
to both countries.
In the course of the meeting with theVice President of the People’s Republicof China, Mr. Li Yuanchao, Minister
Osman handed a message of goodwill
from President Isaias Afwerki toPresident Xi Jinping. Commending thecountry’s impressive achievements,Mr. Osman called on the PRC government to play due role towards putting anendtoanti-Eritrea
conspiracies. He further expressed
During the meeting, Minister Osman stressed on thefinal and binding EEBC ruling of 2002, the unjust Eritrea’s readiness to enhance the existing relations
and illegal sanctions imposed on Eritrea as well as on between the two countries and China’s role in realizing regional peace and stability.
Eritrea-China economic partnership.

Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017Page 4

Eri-News

Eritrea Urged the UNSC to Lift the Unjust and Counterproductive Sanctions
and End the Illegal Occupation
During the 7925th Meeting of the UN Security Madam President,
Council held in New York, on 13 April 2017, Eritrea
called on the UNSC to Lift the Unjust and Counter- The Security Council is actively seized at the present
time on all regional issues – the Sudan, South Sudan,
productive Sanctions and End the Illegal Occupation
Somalia, Yemen etc. where intra-State or inter StateThe full text of the Statement Delivered by conflicts have or continue to rage. But it continues toMr. Amanuel Giorgio, Chargé d’affaires of the studiously avoid the Eritrea/Ethiopia conflict. The UN
Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations, Security Council cannot continue its fifteen years
during the meeting is presented below.
of inaction in the face of destabilizing acts ofoccupation and aggression that threaten regional
Madam President,peace and stability. This is not only morally andDistinguished Members
legally unacceptable but it is increasingly evident thatI would like to congratulate you on the assumption of the simmering tension is untenable and fraught withthe presidency of the Council for the month of April. perilous escalation.
I would like to thank the Chair of the Committee H.E In the event, Eritrea reiterates its call to the UN
Ambassador Kairat Umarov for his briefing as well Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities ofas for his efforts to enhance constructive and genuine maintaining international and regional peace
dialogue. I would like to assure you of my delega- through ensuring immediate and unconditional
tion’s full cooperation in the discharge of your Ethiopia’s withdrawal from sovereign Eritrean
responsibility.
territories, including the town of Badme.
Madam President,
Madam President,
As a matter of coincidence this open briefing of theUN Security Council is taking place on the very datethe Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission gave its
final and binding ruling 15 years ago, on 13 April
2002. To the regret of many who worked hard torealize peace, Ethiopia to this date continues tooccupy sovereign Eritrean territory, including thetown of Badme, in violation of its treaty obligationand international law. The hope of achieving peaceand security for the people of the region has beendashed and the opportunity of building a common
front for common challenges has been postponed
indefinitely.

The sanction, which has been imposed on Eritrea hasentered its 8th year. Its negative impact on Eritrea andthe Horn of Africa region cannot be minimized.
Clearly, the time has come, in fact it is long overdue,
to lift the sanction on Eritrea. In this regard, I would
like to avail this opportunity to highlight few facts:
1.

It would indeed be remiss of its duty of maintenanceof international peace and security for the Security 2.
Council to ignore the failure and refusal by one of theparties to implement a mutual agreement that it hadsolemnly signed; particularly when we recall that thisAgreement was guaranteed and witnessed by theUnited Nations, the African Union, the EuropeanUnion, the United States and Algeria.

The sanction on Eritrea has never been justified
nor motivated by a genuine desire to promote
regional peace and security. If its imposition
was unjustified its continuation can only beviewed as a desire to spread crises in a region
that is already suffering from conflicts. We
need less conflicts, not more.
The two justifications for the imposition of sanction were namely Eritrea’s alleged support to alShabab in Somalia as well as Eritrea’s alleged
refusal to resolve its dispute with Djibouti. For
four years the Somalia Eritrea Monitoring
Group has found no evidence of any Eritrean
wrong-doing in Somalia.
Contd. on page 5

Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017

Page 5Eri-NewsEritrea Urged the UNSC to Lift the Unjust and Counterproductive Sanctions ...
(Contd. from page 4)3. On Djibouti, Eritrea remains committed to theEritrea twice in previous times. The Monitoring
mediation of the State of Qatar, and hasGroup also maintains, without any hindrance,
extensive meetings and contacts with relevant
resulted in the release of all Djiboutian prisoners of war. The last Monitoring report made it
Eritrean officials. And as Your Excellencies areclear that all its interlocutors, including theaware, the Monitoring Group has itself
released Djiboutian prisoners of war only
ascertained the absence of any indication ofmention seven prisoners of war in Eritrea. These
Eritrea’s support to al-Shabab. In these
are all accounted for—two escapees, one who
circumstances, Eritrea does not see any realpassed away and four who were released throughvalue in a visit by the Monitoring Group to thethe efforts of Qatar. Eritrea has confirmed thatcountry. Eritrea’s primary preoccupation is in fact
there are no more Djiboutian prisoners in its
the public stance of certain countries who havehands. Moreover, Eritrea cannot be asked to
openly stated that they will not support the lifting
second guess the whereabouts of persons missingof the sanctions even if the Group were to visitin action as claimed by Djibouti. The burden ofEritrea.
proof squarely lies on the accuser, the Government of Djibouti. On its part, Eritrea is commit- Madam President,
ted to resolve any outstanding issue with Djibouti Eritrea will continue to make its positive contribuunder the mediation of Qatar.
tion towards regional peace, security and integration in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea area. It
4. Failing to find substantive evidence to continue calls to the UN Security Council to constructively
the sanction, some countries have resorted to contribute to peace, cooperation and amity in our
procedural pretexts, by singularly and inordi- region by lifting the unjust and counterproductive
nately focusing on the inability of the Monitoring sanction against Eritrea and ending Ethiopia’sGroup to visit Eritrea. It must be recalled here illegal occupation of sovereign Eritrean territory.
that the Monitoring Group had actually visited
I thank you Madam President.

23rd Commemoration of Rwandan Genocide Observed in AsmarardThe 23 commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda
was observed in Asmara on 25 April. At the event inwhich high level Government and PFDJ officials,
Ambassadors as well as the Rwanda National Cycling Team took part, Ms. Christine Umutoni, UN
Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, said that this year’s commemoration ofthe Rwanda genocide is observed under the theme“Walk to Remember”, and commended the Government of Eritrea for its cooperation to mark the event.
Mr. Yemane Ghebremeskel, Minister of Information,
pointed out that the somber event accentuates twocrucial messages, which include humanity’s collective apology, to the survivors of the genocide and theContd. on page 6

Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017

Page 6Eri-News

23rd Commemoration of Rwandan Genocide Observed... (Contd. from page 5)
Mr. Yemane added thatthe people of Eritrea havebeen subjected for almost
seventy years to atrocities
by external forces. Thepeople and Governmentof Eritrea can easily identify with the victims of
genocide in Rwanda andwill say, with a loudvoice, no to injustice ofany kind anywhere in thepeople of Rwanda, for allowing the excruciating but world, Mr. Yemane stressed.
preventable massacres to occur under the callous At the event, a film on the development achievements
watch of various multilateral and bilateral institutions registered after the genocide in Rwanda was featured
on one hand and to renew the moral commitment and and testimonies by the genocide survivors wasresolve never to repeat such atrocity against humanpresented.
ity on the other.

Tour of Eritrea 2017: Pedaling for FriendshipTour of Eritrea 2017 cycling competition was heldfrom 15-23 April 2017 in various parts of Eritrea.
The national teams of Eritrea, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya
and South Africa as well as Eri-Tel, Sembel, Asbeco,Bike-Aid, Amore-Vita and Global teams took part inthe competition.

Propelled by its strong performances during the Tourof Eritrea and other recent competitions, Eritrea
continues to top the Nations’ Ranking in Africa.

Vol 4. Issue 67, 02 May 2017

http://www.uci.ch/road/ranking/Team Eritrea won the race, while Zemenfes Solomon
from the Team won the General, Youth and Mountain classifications. In the General Classification,
Jean Cloude Uwizeye from the Rwandese National
Team and Amanuel Tsegay of Team Eritrea finished
2nd and 3rd respectively.
Apart from the 5-stage race covering 670 kms, thecompetition included Fenkil Northern Red Sea
Challenge, Massawa Circuit and Asmara Circuit.