Ethiopia and Eritrea are to restore diplomatic and trade ties after their leaders held peace talks on Sunday.
Ethiopian officials say already direct international telephone connection has been restored between the two countries.
The restoration on Sunday is “for the first time after two decades”. That announcement was made by the chief of staff of the Ethiopian Prime Minister on Twitter.
Earlier on Sunday, Ethiopia and Eritrea leaders held a crucial peace talk in Eritrea as both countries make efforts at resolving their differences.
Eritrea’s state broadcaster reports that Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki welcomed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at Asmara airport.
Both leaders then headed to the presidential palace where the talks were held to end a near 20-year military stand-off.
In speeches broadcast Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias said they had agreed to set up embassies in their respective capitals.
Ethiopia will be allowed to use Eritrean ports on the Red Sea as part of the deal. The two countries will also resume flights between each other.
First Historic meeting
Last month Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed also welcomed a delegation of Eritrean officials at Addis Ababa airport.
Talks were held then in the Ethiopian capital with the first official delegation from Eritrea in two decades.
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a border war from 1998 to 2000 that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides.
A peace accord dubbed the Algiers agreement was signed on December 12, 2000.
Despite the peace agreement a tense armed standoff ensued with the two countries engaging in clashes occasionally.
A peace accord dubbed the Algiers agreement was signed on December 12, 2000.
Despite the peace agreement a tense armed standoff ensued with the two countries engaging in clashes occasionally.
Conflict resolution moves
Ethiopia had not in the past endorsed the results of the peace agreement fully. It refused to recognize the award of the symbolic town of Badme to Eritrea.
Ethiopia currently controls the town of Badme.
Source: Africafeeds.com
