Eritrea: Land of
Can-Do People!

ERI-NEWS

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

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
President Isaias Held Talks with his Egyptian Counterpart

Vol 3. Issue 59
07 December 2016

President Isaias Afwerki andPresident Abdel Fattah ElSisi of the Republic of Egypt
met and held talks on 29
November in Cairo on boosting bilateral relations andcooperation between the twocountries. The meeting took
place during President Isaias’
three-day long visit to Egypt.

Inside this issue:
Eritrean, Kuwaiti
Foreign Ministers
Met in Malabo2Eritrean Delegation’s Statement at 3
the 4th Africa-ArabSummit

In their meeting, the twoleaders expressed readinessto enhance cooperation in various sectors including fisheries, agriculture,
livestock resources as well as trade andinvestment.

President Isaias and President El-Sisi
reached agreement to reinforce coordination for ensuring the peace and stability of
the Red Sea region as well as in combating terrorism and human trafficking.

Eritrean Delegation
Attended Fidel
3
Castro’s Funeral
Eritrea Opportunity for
Development
Innovation

4

They also agreed that the alreadyEritrea’s Success inestablished joint committees should President Isaias underlined that Eritrea
HIV/AIDS Control, 5play their due role to ensure the practi- look forward for Egypt's enhanced role inPrevention andcal implementation of the programs.
the region and across the African
Treatmentcontinent.
Eritrea Tops National

President Isaias Received the Credentials of Six Ambassadors
At a ceremony held at Denden Hall on
22 November 2016, President Isaias
Afwerki received, the credentials ofH.E. Ian Richards of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, H.E. Jabir
Ali Salim Al-azba of the State of Qatar,
H.E. Abdalla Ali Muqbil Al-Seri of theRepublic of Yemen, H.E. Stefano
Moscatelli of the Republic of Italy,
H.E. Gadi Harpaz of the State of Israeland H.E. Francois Goldblatt of France.

and Individual UCI
Rankings

During the presentation ceremony with
Contact Addresses:
the Ambassador of the UK and NorthTel: +251-116620052
ern Ireland, President Isaias explained
Fax:+251-116620011
the erroneous stance of the British Email:eritreanaumission@gmail.com
government towards Eritrea and reiterP.o.Box: 5527
ated that Eritrea advocate for amicable
Addis Ababa,
relations.
Ethiopia
Similarly, during the meeting with theAmbassador of the State of Qatar,(Contd on page 2)

Vol 3. Issue 59, 07 December 2016

Eritrean Mission toAU& ECA5

Page 2Eri-News

President Isaias Received the Credentials of Six Ambassadors (Contd. from page 1)
President Isaias underlined thatEritrea would strive to further
strengthen the existing friendly
relations between the two countries.
While receiving the credentials ofthe Israeli Ambassador, the President noted that the existing
predicament in the Middle Eastand the modality to find solution is
directly affecting the region andcalled on Israel to play due role inpromoting regional peace andstability.
Also in the meeting with the Italian Ambassador,President Isaias stressed that Italy is not playing duerole in former colonies and asserted that the country isexpected to play due role in bilateral relations andregional issues.

Likewise, President Isaias and the French Ambassador discussed the forthcoming election in that country. Moreover, the President conducted discussion
with the Yemeni Ambassador on efforts to bringabout peace and stability in that country and theregion as a whole.

Eritrean, Kuwaiti Foreign Ministers Met in Malabo
Foreign Minister Osman Saleh met with Kuwaiti First
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh
Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in Malabo on
22 November 2016.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the Fourth
Africa-Arab Summit hosted by the Republic ofEquatorial Guinea, the two sides discussed on
reinforcement of bilateral ties and on regional issues.
Minister Osman underlined that the historic relations
between Eritrea and Kuwait need to be strengthenedon the basis of development cooperation in all fields,
particularly in marine resources, mining, trade andinfrastructure.
Stressing that Eritrea’s strategic location plays significant role in regional issues, Sheikh Al-Sabah
expressed his country’s readiness to reinforce theexisting bilateral relations to higher level ofcooperation.

Minister Osman also met and held discussion withMr. Tomas Mechebe, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister ofTourism, on issues of mutual interest, particularly
promoting cooperation in the tourism sector.

Vol 3. Issue 59, 07 December 2016

Page 3Eri-News

Eritrean Delegation’s Statement at the 4th Africa-Arab Summit
A Delegation led by Foreign Minister Osman Saleh
took part at the 4th Africa-Arab Summit, that washeld in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 17-23
November 2016. The following is excerpts from
Minister Osman Saleh statement submitted at theSummit.

cient resources to make it happen. Africa should say
no to humanitarian aid and yes to mutually beneficial
strategic partnerships.

I strongly feel that our task should be devoted to creating mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutualbenefit. There is no development without security.
More than five decades or so after independence our Likewise there is no security without development.
resource-rich continent still remains politically And both hinge on mutual respect for sovereignty offragile, economically underdeveloped and globally States.
marginalized. As you are all aware of, colonialism
This strategically-driven partnership could only be
had exploited Africa’s sons and daughters andviable in the long term; if it sets its strategic priorities
plundered its resources.
right. The common challenges in environmental secuThe oppressive legacies of colonialism have been rity, terrorism and migration deserve our coherent
affecting the continent’s political development and approach. Paradigm has shifted and so must our strateconomic performances negatively. Unless we take a egy.
strong and clear stand against this looming threat ourIn this respect, transformation of the international syscontinent seems destined to be systematically pluntem, including the UN should be our important goal.
dered and our marginalization bound to remain soRespect of the rights of our peoples to development,indefinitely.
sovereignty and to live in peace without any threats
As you know, Ladies and Gentlemen, achieving should also be the epicenter of the future.
sustainable development is one of the pressing
The warm brotherly feelings that Africans and Arabs
challenges facing our continent. It is about time tochange the page on the past. There should not be a uniquely share need to be accompanied by a provenroom for business as usual. We cannot just gloss over track record of performance and reliability. Meaningful, substantive, and strategic cooperation in security,
to the prevailing inequitable international order.
The obstacles and challenges are there. But we need trade and investment is the way forward.
to make economic choices and need to rely on our The full text of the Statement can be found at http://shabait.com/news/local-news/22986-eritrean-delegationown resources. The continent is endowed with suffi-

Eritrean Delegation Attended Fidel Castro’s Funeral
An Eritrean Delegation comprising Foreign Minister
Osman Saleh and Mr. Yemane Gebreab, Head ofPFDJ Political Affairs, took part in the funeralservice of the former Cuban President Fidel Castro,held on 4 December 2016 in Santiago de Cuba. TheDelegation conveyed the deep condolences of thePeople and Government of Eritrea.
During its stay in Cuba, the Delegation met and heldtalks with various Cuban officials on boosting bilateral ties between the two countries.

Vol 3. Issue 59, 07 December 2016

Page 4Eri-NewsEritrea - Opportunity for Development Innovation
The Eritrean Minister of Information Mr. Yemane
Ghebremeskel participated at a Conference on issues
pertaining to Eritrea held on 28 November at theEuropean Parliament in Brussels.
Mr. Brian Hayes, member of the European Parliament
and VITA, an Irish NGO which is currently active inEritrea, jointly hosted the conference that was held
under the theme: “Eritrea-Opportunity for Development Innovation".

Mr. Yemane underlined that Eritrea in past 25 years
has put in place firm foundation that guarantee
sustainable economic development and social justicedespite the TPLF's war of aggression, the unjust andillegal sanctions imposed on Eritrea and external
conspiracies. Papers related to mutual partnership andcooperation between Eritrea and the EU, development
programs that are being carried out in Eritrea inpartnership with VITA (an Irish NGO), UN organizations as well as potash mining activities being carriedout since 2009 were presented in the Conference.

In a statement he made at the opening ceremony,
Mr. Hayes said that the conference that is the first of
its kind is aimed at correcting the negative image that
Eritrea has been portrayed by some media outlets andto reflect the practical and realistic observations about
Eritrea by those who visited and worked in Eritrea.

In their presentations the officials and experts thatinclude Ms. Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Representative in Eritrea, explained theiraffirmative experiences and called on the international
community for strong engagement and cooperationwith Eritrea.

Mr. Hayes also shared his impression and experienceof his visit to Eritrea and expressed his strong conviction that positive outcomes could be achieved throughconstructive engagement and cooperation with thecountry.

The Conference was attended by members of theEuropean Parliament, heads of European Commission, friends of Eritrea, Eritreans from various European countries as well as heads of internationalorganizations.

Mr. Yemane on his part gave extensive briefing as
regards the national policies for sustainable economicdevelopment, the optimistic and trustworthy
economic policies of the Eritrean Government, procedures and regulations for multiple and bilateral
partnerships as well as on the encouraging policies forinvestment opportunities and other areas ofdevelopment.

Meanwhile, the Eritrean delegation led by Minister
Yemane along with Mr. Negasi Kassa, Ambassadorof Eritrea to the EU, met and held talks with various
EU officials as regards reinforcing mutual cooperation.

Vol 3. Issue 59, 07 December 2016

Page 5Eri-News

Eritrea’s Success in HIV/AIDS Control, Prevention and Treatment
Can Serve as a Model to the Continent
While many countries have shown significant
progress in combating HIV/AIDS, Eritrea’s strong
record in battling HIV/ AIDS stands out positively. InEritrea, HIV/AIDS prevalence among 15-45 year olds
is approximately 0.59%, which is one of the lowest
rates both within the region and comparatively acrossthe African continent.

centers throughout the country. VCTs offer rapid testing and pre and post-test counselling, are staffed withtrained counsellors, and operate according to nationalguidelines. While PMTCT centers chiefly focus on
pregnant women, offering testing services and supporting those found HIV-positive in preventing thetransmission of HIV to their children.

Eritrea’s success in combating HIV/AIDS is founded
upon a multisectoral approach that also involves thetargeting of harmful societal behaviours and traditions. Specifically, the country has: targeted traditional and patriarchal stereotypes and practices,
including banning child marriage and FGM/FGC;
focused on improving gender equality and decreasing
the burden of poverty borne by women; and sought toreduce stigma and discrimination. Furthermore,community awareness programs have been vigorousand effective in the social marketing of condoms,
communicating safe practices, offering educational
programs, and providing youth peer counselling.

Considering Eritrea’s progress in the context of its
various socio-economic, development, and regional
challenges, the country’s success becomes particularly striking. Potentially serving as a model for
Africa, Eritrea’s HIV/ AIDS success also illustrates
what can be achieved with a self-reliant approach, acapacity to adapt, effective coordination, and costeffective projects. At the same time, however, thepotentially devastating consequences posed by HIV/AIDS – in terms of human rights, severe human toll,and impact on national developmental – mean that thecountry has little room for complacency.

The country’s commitment to the rights and health ofcitizens living with HIV/AIDS is also illustrated byconsidering the high levels of support for antiretroviral therapy (ART), which helps avert HIV/AIDS
related deaths and is a critical factor in driving down
the rate of new infections.

Ultimately, Eritrea must continue to augment its
existing programmes and further promote effective
initiatives and interventions in order to control andreduce the harmful impact of HIV/AIDS, while also
expanding attention to HIV in national planning,
gender equality, and socio-economic efforts.

The above is excerpts from an article by Dr. FikrejeAdditionally, Eritrea has established numerous sus Amahazion. The full text can be accessed at:
Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and Pre- http://shabait.com/articles/nation-building/23014world-aids-day-2016-a-report-from-adi-keyh-eritrea
vention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT)

Eritrea Tops National and Individual UCI Rankings in Cycling
Africa’s cycling powerhouse, Eritrea,
once again conquered the top spot of theUnion Cycliste Internationale (UCI)‘Africa Tour 2016’ nation standings.
Similarly, the 2016 African Continental
Champion, Eritrean Tesfom
Okbamariam took the top spot in the2016 ‘Men Elite - African Tour’ Ranking.
Vol 3. Issue 59, 07 December 2016