Asmara — Ladies and Gentlemen, invited guests, participants and parents and young Eritreans from Abroad

As has been said before, this year's celebration of the 3rd Youth Festival is indeed unique for it is also an occasion where we are celebrating the graduation ceremony of the 21st round of national service trainees as well as commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS). The fact the 21st batch of students have scored higher academic achievement and demonstrated better discipline and commitment is a clear indication as to the level of our youths' sense of responsibility in executing their due role. Thus on this occasion I would like to extend my congratulations to the members of this round, their teachers, parents and all those who participated in providing proper care for these students.

Although much can be said regarding this occasion, it would be simpler to conclude that the achievements our youth have scored in the past ten years -since 1998- or the improvements they have made cannot be summed up even if ones talks about them for weeks or months on end. I would, however, like to point out that the accomplishment we have scored and the efforts and achievements of the youth and the people in past ten years are beyond conventional measure.

What have are youth done in the past ten years? What have they achieved and how much progress has our nation made since then? How much have the youth contributed to bring the nation to such a stage of development? If we all ask ourselves these questions and try answer them within ourselves, our first reaction would be that of pure astonishment followed by a conclusion that the achievements of the past ten years and the role of the youth therein will further bolster the pride and strength of every citizen of this country.

It will not be enough on this occasion to summarize the achievements of the past ten years, because we also need to think about what we can accomplish ten years from now. It is easy to look back and reflect on ten years that have passed but it might be difficult to think about where we will be ten years from now. But what will we do in the coming ten years? Having accomplished miracles in the past ten years, what will today's youth achieve in the coming ten years? It is appropriate on this occasion for each one of us to ask ourselves these questions and accordingly prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead. It is also an occasion where we should look far into the future and reflect on the many more miracles we can achieve supported by the experience and fortitude we have acquired in the past ten years. Based on the confidence and strength we have gained so far I would like to remind all Eritrean youths inside and outside the country that they are assuming the responsibility of multiplying the achievement of the past ten years by ten folds and accomplish the work of hundred years in the coming ten years.

This is not a mere exaggeration but a fact practically proven by the uniqueness of this country and the strength and capability of its youth. The efforts and achievements of the youth in past enable us to confidently and without any trace of doubt talk about the great feats we can and we will accomplish in the coming ten years. The level of awareness, sense of responsibility and academic aptitude demonstrated by the 21st round of students gives me and others like me much strength and pride. And on this occasion I would like to promise you on behalf of myself and others like me that we will work along our youth with just as much stamina and even more drive to tirelessly support and reinforce them in all their endeavors.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to the artists, coordinators and all those who participated in strengthening today's occasion. I once again reaffirm my confidence in our ability to score further achievements and in the process acquire more strength in the coming ten years and more.

Victory to the Masses!