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EU Emphasizes Need to Establish Partnership With Eritrea in Solving Problems in
the Horn Region of Africa

Shabait.com (Asmara)
NEWS
6 May 2007
Posted to the web 6 May 2007
Asmara
EU Commissioner for Development and Cooperation, Mr. Louis Michel noted that
the European Union will enhance and reinforce partnership with Eritrea in
solving problems in the Horn region of Africa.
Following a meeting in Brussels with President Isaias Afwerki on bilateral
economic cooperation, Mr. Michel underlined the role Eritrea played in bringing
Sudanese sides together and stated that Eritrea's efforts in ending the Somali
situation is not to be overlooked.
Noting that the meeting opens an important chapter for the EU and Eritrea, Mr.
Michel said that there is a great deal of expectation from the relations
between both sides and expressed his conviction in solving the problems from
Darfur to Somalia.
As regards the situation in Somalia President Isaias noted that Eritrea's noble
interest in the issue is to see a reconstituted Somalia. President Isaias
further pointed out the baseless accusation purported against Eritrea that
alleged 'it has deployed soldiers in Somalia' has now been proven to the world
it was nothing more than a blatant lie.
As for the allegations by the regime in Ethiopia that articulate 'Eritrea is
assisting opposition groups and masterminding highjack missions', President
Isaias underlined that all was a part of the TPLF regime's sedative habit to
forward such baseless and unsubstantiated statements and is not worth giving
heed to.
The two sides also held in-depth discussions on the framework the European
Union drafted recently concerning security and development cooperation with the
Horn of Africa countries.
Stating that the main issue as regards the Somali situation is to reconstitute
Somalia as a state, both sides agreed the need to exert maximum efforts and
coordination in laying conducive grounds for the success of the political
process.
They also held discussions on the Sudanese peace process to understand the
complicated sides of the case and promote regional and international
initiatives for a constructive result.
Both sides also agreed on the European Unions' contribution in food security,
infrastructure and human resource development at a regional level and
implementation of the relations between both sides in the said sectors.
President Isaias Afwerki returned home yesterday evening concluding his two-day
working visit in Brussels, Belgium upon the European Union's invitation.

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