National News
Eritrea’s foreign policy in the post-independence period attests to the diplomatic maturity of the leadership, Says Ministry
By Staff
May 16, 2008, 12:55

Asmara, 16 May 2008 - Eritrea’s foreign policy over the past 17 years since independence was not only successful but also attests to the diplomatic maturity of the leadership, stated Ambassador Fisehatsion Petros, Director General of Desks in the Foreign Ministry.

In an interview with the Eritrean News Agency (ERINA), Ambassador Fisehation pointed out that with mutual respect, respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring regional and international peace and stability constitute the main pillars of Eritrea’s foreign policy. In line with this policy, the Ministry had exerted efforts and registered positive outcome in ensuring Eritrea’s interest; organizing Eritrean nationals abroad and protecting their rights; laying the groundwork for promoting peace, cooperation and partnership at the regional level; as well as fostering relations that respects our own programs at the international level .

The Foreign Ministry official noted that the step taken by the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) to hold the referendum so as to provide legal and official recognition to the hard-won independence fully attests to the Front’s great diplomatic victory and competence.

Moreover, Ambassador Fisehatsion outlined the major contribution of the Eritrean government in reactivating IGAD and enabling it to play an active role in the region, be it in promoting development activities or ensuring peace and stability. He pointed out that the Eritrean government’s relentless efforts to peacefully resolve the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict following the TPLF regime’s war of aggression, and its non-recourse to reprisal in the wake of the regime’s deportation of 80,000 Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin from Ethiopia, are some of the impressive diplomatic achievements of the Eritrean government.

He further underlined that the different conspiracies weaved and the ploys employed in a bid to complicate the issue have been foiled through the mature diplomatic endeavors of the Eritrean leadership. Ambassador Fisehatsion also indicated that since independence, Eritrea has established diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level with 32 countries, 6 at Consular level and 5 at Honorary Consul level. Together with non-resident ambassadors, the nation is diplomatically represented in more than 70 countries. Eritrea representation abroad or that of other nations in Eritrea is indeed strong, the official added.

He went on to explain that as “ambassadors of their nation,” Eritrean citizens in the Diaspora have made impressive contributions in the struggle for independence and in the nation-building process. Ambassador Fisehatsion called on nationals residing abroad to keep intact this patriotic stance.