Shabait.com (Asmara)
26 December 2008
Asmara — Foreign Minister Osman Saleh said that the achievements Eritrea had registered and continues to register in the diplomatic arena and its role in promoting peace at regional and international level are bearing impressive outcome.
He described as exemplary Eritrea's efforts in resolving conflicts in Africa in general and the Horn region in particular which emanate from its principled stance that conflicts should be resolved peacefully and respecting the sovereignty and equality of states on the basis of non-interference in internal affairs.
Mr. Osman further outlined that Eritrea's impressive contribution towards resolving the problem of Sudanese brothers and the reconstitution of the Somali nation, as well as normalizing Sudanese-Chadian relations are some of the impressive diplomatic accomplishments which won acclaim on the part of all parties.
As regards Eritrea's role and stance in the reconstitution of Somalia, the Foreign Minister pointed out that right from the outset its stance regarding the issue remains "Resolution of Somali Agenda through Somali Solution." He went on to explain that the Bush Administration through its servant regime, the TPLF, carried out invasion of Somalia, and thus undermined the promising peace which surfaced in the country in 2006, thereby exposing Somalia to the worst battlefield. Mr. Osman further underlined that if at all peace and stability is to prevail in Somalia, the invading Ethiopian forces should immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the country and that the Somali people should be given the chance to resolve their issue themselves.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister elaborated that the Asmara Peace Agreement between the Sudanese Government of National Unity and the East Sudan Front which was signed in October 2006 and the progress made attest to Eritrea's modest role and clear policy of resolving problems through peaceful means.
Regarding the Eritrean-Ethiopian border issue, Mr. Osman underscored that the issue has once and for all reached legal conclusion in accordance with international ruling and law, and that the sole remaining issue is the unconditional withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from the occupied sovereign Eritrean territories, as well as respect of the rule of law.
Indicating that Eritrea maintains that IGAD should be reviewed and restructured, he explained that that Eritrea was compelled to suspend membership in the regional organization due to the fact that IGAD not only began to violate its own resolutions and that of the UN but also resorted to complicating issues instead of trying to resolve them.
The Foreign Minister went on to say that over the past 17 years since the achievement of independence Eritrea has established relations with various countries and international organizations. In this regard, he stated that it has diplomatic representation in 85 countries.
Noting that Eritrea's foreign policy focuses on mutual cooperation and respect, as well as respect of the rule of law and fostering investment on the basis of partnership, Mr. Osman indicated that as a result the number of countries establishing embassies and consulates in Eritrea is growing from time to time.
He further stated that the task of enhancing the effective participation of Eritrean nationals living abroad in national programs has borne fruitful outcome. In this respect, the Foreign Minister commended the major contribution of nationals abroad to portray Eritrea's true image and back up development endeavors in the Homeland.
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