Eritrea: Land ofCan-Do People!
(Yikealo! kikewn eyu

ERI-NEWSkemey zeykewn!)

National Service: A toolfor EconomicDevelopment, NationalCohesion and theDefence of Sovereignty

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
Eritrea Participated in the 24th African Union Summit
An Eritrean Delegation led by H.E.
Ambassador Araya Desta, Permanent
Representative to the African Unionand UN Economic Commission forAfrica participated in the 24th African
Union Summit held from 23-31 January 2015 at the AU Headquarters in The Eritrean Delegation made intervenAddis Ababa.
tions on various issues at the sessionsof the Permanent Representatives ComThe Summit was held under the theme mittee (PRC), Executive Council and‘2015 Year of Women Empowerment Assembly of Heads of State and Govand Development Towards Africa’s ernment. The texts of the interventions
Agenda 2063.’
are available on page 2 and 3.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Visited Eritrea,
China and Eritrea Signed Agreement on Visa Exemption
Foreign Minister Osman Saleh met andheld talks, on 23 January 2015, with theVice Foreign Minister of the People’s
Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Ming.
The two officials held discussions onbilateral relations as well as regional
and international issues of mutual concern.
During the discussion, Mr. Osman notedthat the relations between Eritrea andChina date back to the days of theEritrean armed struggle for independence. He indicated that China wasamong the first countries that established diplomatic ties with Eritrea. He
also elucidated that efforts are being
made to further develop the bilateralrelations to the highest level.
Mr. Zhang Ming, on his part, stated that

China considers Eritrea a strategic
partner in the Horn of Africa, andthat his country is keen to reinforce
the existing relations.
As part of the efforts to further
strengthen the relations between thetwo countries, Minister Osman Salehand Mr. Zhang Ming signed anagreement that will enable government officials from both countries toundertake visits to and from without
visa.
Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming,in remarks he gave to the media, expressed his conviction that the cooperation agreements will be implemented on time and that his country
will exert the necessary efforts tofurther strengthen the bilateral ties.

Vol 2. Issue 26, 04 February 2015

Vol 2. Issue 26
04 February 2015
Inside this issue:
Intervention by H.E.
Ambassador Araya
2Desta at the AU
Assembly
Interventions by theDelegation of Eritrea
at the AU Executive
3Council and PRC
Ethiopia Must be
Urged to Vacate
Sovereign
EritreanTerritories
Asmara Hostedthe World
Federation of
Democratic Youth(WFDY)-Africa
Commission
Meeting

44

Contact Addresses:
Tel: +251-116620052
Fax:+251-116620011
Email:eritreanaumission@
gmail.com
P.o.Box: 5527
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Eritrean Mission toAU& ECA@EritreaAUEri-News

Vol 2. Issue 26

Intervention by H.E. Ambassador Araya Desta
Permanent Representative of the State of Eritrea to the African Union and UN
Economic Commission for Africa
On the ‘Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peaceand Security in Africa,’ at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AfricanUnion, 31 January 2015, Addis Ababa
Mr. Chairman, thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Allow me, at the outset, to convey to the august
Assembly the warm greetings of H.E. Isaias
Afwerki, the President of the State of Eritrea.
Mr. Chairman,
As clearly reflected in the Report, our continent isfacing multiple security challenges. The rise ofextremism, terrorism and human trafficking inmany part of Africa is a source of grave concern.
Eritrea believes that it is important to strengthen
existing and create new mechanisms of cooperation
among countries of the region as well as the relevant regional and international organizations.
On its part, Eritrea plays an active role in promoting
peace and security in the Horn of Africa and theRed Sea Regions. Eritrea has been actively workingfor peaceful resolution of conflicts, and it has firmly
and consistently been combating terrorism, extremism, piracy, human trafficking and other scourges
bedeviling our continent.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to briefly share Eritrea’s views onsome parts of the report.
On the Situation Between Eritrea-Ethiopia
One of the major factors hindering the promotion ofpeace and security in the Horn of Africa Region isthe continued occupation of sovereign Eritrean territories. It has been more than 14 years since theAlgiers Agreement was signed; and about 13 and 7years respectively, since the EEBC awarded its Finaland Binding Delimitation and Demarcation Decisions.
My Delegation wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate its call on the AU, as one of the Guarantors of
the Algiers Agreement, to urge our neighbor to abide
by its treaty obligations and unconditionally withdraw from sovereign Eritrean territory, including thetown of Badme.
Mr, Chairman,
I assure you that the end of the occupation will pave
the way for the normalization of relations between
the two countries, and will have a major impact instabilizing the region.
On the Situation in South Sudan
The Member States of the Union and the international community need to strengthen their support tothe People and Government of South Sudan in orderfor the country push forward its nation building
agenda and overcome the challenges facing the process. It is also crucial that the sovereignty of South
Sudan be respected.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Eritrea’s
commitment to contribute its share for the pacificresolution of conflicts, and for the creation of anenvironment conducive for the promotion of cooperation in the Horn of African Region and across thecontinent.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman!

Vol 2. Issue 26, 04 February 2015

Page 3Eri-News

Interventions by the Delegation of the State of Eritrea
On the ‘Annual Report of the Chairperson on the Activities of the AU Commission’at the AU Executive Council and PRC Sessions
On Year of Agriculture and Food Security
The attainment of food security is critical to safeguard the dignity and security of our continent. We
appreciate the work done by the Commission inraising the profile of agriculture and food security
over the past year. As the theme year comes to anend, we would like to encourage the AUC tocontinue and redouble its effort in this area.
Eritrea has put the development of agriculture andthe attainment of food security as a priority ofpriorities, and is making huge investment to realize
this objective. As the result of this strategy, it has
been almost a decade since Eritrea stopped receiving food aid.
On Access to Modern Energy Services
My delegation appreciates the work being done by
the AUC under the Eastern Africa Regional
Geothermal Programme which includes providing
grants for surface studies and drilling, as well as
training of experts.
Eritrea has enormous geothermal potential for
power generation in the Red Sea Rift areas. TheGovernment has been making efforts to harness thispotential. It is also engaged with the AUC’s Eastern
Africa Regional Geothermal Programme, and withother partners to develop the resources.
On Policies for Sustainable Utilization ofMineral and Other Resources
The Report mentions the African Mining Development Center (AMDC), and its objective of ensuringthat Member States obtain optimal revenues frommineral resources.
Eritrea is richly endowed with mineral resources
with more than 60% of its landmass covered withbasement rocks rich in minerals. Currently there areabout 17 foreign mining and exploration companies
operating in the country. The Eritrean mining law has
provisions that optimize the revenue derived from thesector. Currently, the Government has 40-50% sharesin the mining operations, as well as levies 38%
income tax.
Although Eritrea is an emerging mining jurisdiction,
it is ready to share its experience with interested
sisterly countries. To this end, my Government has
begun consultations with the AMDC to explore areasof cooperation.
On Combating Human Trafficking
My delegation wishes to express its gratitude to thesisterly Republic of Sudan for hosting the Regional
Ministerial Conference on Human Trafficking andSmuggling in the Horn of Africa, in October 2014 inKhartoum. We also commend the AUC and thepartner organizations for making the necessary preparations for the success of the Conference.
We would like to use this opportunity to call up on
the AUC to facilitate the implementation of the outcome of the Conference as contained in the Strategy
and Plan of Action. Eritrea remains committed tocombating the scourge of human trafficking andsmuggling, and is ready to cooperate with the participating states, the AUC, and partner states and organizations for the success of the Initiative.
On ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020’
Among the priorities set by the AUC for 2015 areactivities to realize the goal of ‘silencing the guns inAfrica by 2020.’ One area of focus mentioned under
this priority is the need ‘to renew efforts to resolve theremaining conflicts.’ Eritrea salutes this initiative.
The achievement of the goal requires Member States
to unconditionally abide by Final and Binding arbitration decisions, and for the AU to shoulder its commitment in regard to the Peace Agreements it has guaranteed.

Vol 2. Issue 26, 04 February 2015

Page 4Eri-News

Ethiopia Must be Urged to Vacate Sovereign Eritrean Territories
Including the Town of Badme
The Algiers Agreement of 2000 signed by the President of Eritrea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia,
guaranteed by the AU and UN and endorsed by theUNSC clearly states that:“The parties agree that a neutral Boundary
Commission composed of five members shall beestablished with a MANDATE to DELIMIT andDEMARCATE the colonial treaty border based onpertinent colonial treaties (1900, 1902 and 1908)
and applicable international law. The Commission
shall not have the power to make decisions exaequo et bono.”“The parties agree that the delimitation and demarcation determinations of the Commission shall be
FINAL and BINDING. Each party shall respect
the border so determined, as well as territorial integrity and sovereignty of the other party.”

On the bases of the Algiers Agreement, the Eritrea
Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) has delimited and demarcated the boundary between Eritrea andEthiopia in 2002 and 2007, respectively. There is nolonger a border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
What we have is Ethiopia’s occupation of sovereign
Eritrean territories.
The Guarantors and Witnesses of the Algiers Agreement must urge Ethiopia to respect its treaty obligations and immediately and unconditionally vacatefrom the territories the EEBC has awarded to Eritrea,
including the town of Badme.
Eritrea has consistently reaffirmed that if Ethiopia
withdraws from the Eritrean territories it is occupyingin the morning, dialogue between the two countrieson issues of mutual concern could start the same day
in the afternoon.

Asmara Hosted the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY)Africa Commission Meeting
The regional meeting of the World Federation of
Democratic Youth (WFDY)-Africa Commission washeld in Asmara from 21-23 January 2015. The meeting
which was attended by representatives of youth associations from several African countries was held under
the theme: "African Youth United for Peace,
Sustainable Development and Fighting against
Imperialism!"
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the National
Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS), Mr.
Saleh Ahmedin, explained that the NUEYS sharescommon values and stances with the WFDY. He further pointed out that Eritrean youth are waging
staunch resistance against the unwarranted and illegal sanctions imposed on Eritrea, the occupation ofsovereign Eritrean territory and the illegal human trafficking activities, among others.
Vice President of the WFDY, Mr. Dolfino HòsterGuila, stated that the organization takes pride in holding the meeting in Eritrea, a country that not only

waged persistent struggle against forces of domination but also dealt defeat to the same forces all byitself.
Mr. Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs of
the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice(PFDJ), underlined the need for youth movementsin the continent to exert vigorous effort towards
resolving the problems confronting the continent.
The South African Ambassador to Eritrea, Prof.
Iqbal Jhazbhay, conveyed a message of solidarity tothe meeting from the African National Congress
Youth League (ANCYL).
The participants of the meeting voiced appreciation
for the warm hospitality accorded to them by thePeople and Government of Eritrea, lauded the prevailing peace and stability in Eritrea, and expressedreadiness to foster stronger cooperation andexchange of experience with the Eritrean youth.
They also seized the opportunity to visit some ofEritrea’s tourist attractions.

Vol 2. Issue 26, 04 February 2015