Symposium Of Foreign Ministry Opens

The Symposium of the Foreign Ministry opened today at Hotel Asmara Palace. In an opening speech, Foreign Minister Osman Saleh noted that concreted action was taken over the past 20 years towards promoting regional peace and stability, ensuring security and development, as well as enabling Eritrea become a dignified member state of the international community. Asmara, 16 May 2011 – The Symposium of the Foreign Ministry opened today at Hotel Asmara Palace. In an opening speech, Foreign Minister Osman Saleh noted that concreted action was taken over the past 20 years towards promoting regional peace and stability, ensuring security and development, as well as enabling Eritrea become a dignified member state of the international community.

He indicated that Eritrea has been pursuing clear stance based on significant regional and international peace towards fostering economic cooperation with various countries, enhancing partnership, attracting investment, as well as developing trade, cultural and other ties. Mr. Osman further pointed out that encouraging tasks have been  undertaken as regards ensuring the rights and interests of nationals residing abroad and providing them speedy service, besides rebuffing acts of hostility and conspiracy.

The Foreign Minister said that the future action program focuses on restoring the occupied sovereign Eritrean territory through legal means, rebuffing the sanctions conspiracy, strengthening regional and international relations,  as well as promoting regional peace and stability. Moreover, creating favorable atmosphere for investment and trade so as to enhance economic cooperation and partnership, building human capacity, in addition to guaranteeing the rights and aspirations of Eritrean citizens abroad are part of the future work programs.

Meanwhile, in a paper he presented regarding Eritrea’s regional relations with countries and organizations, Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Hirui, director general of research and information in the Ministry, noted that the Eritrean government since the achievement of independence has  been making continued political and diplomatic efforts to foster solid relations based on mutual cooperation and partnership. As a result, healthy ties has been established with a number of countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect, he elaborated.

Noting that Eritrea’s foreign policy is anchored on promoting peace and stability in the region, Ambassador Mahmoud underscored that the Government has been working diligently towards promoting regional peace and stability, in addition to realizing peaceful resolution to the problems witnessed. In this respect, he pointed out that it has been exerting relentless efforts towards resolving the conflicts encountered with neighboring countries through peaceful and legal means.

Moreover, Ambassador Mahmoud explained that as a result of such efforts, economic and trade cooperation has been established with all neighboring countries on the basis of common interest and partnership. The fact that Eritrea managed to keep intact its independent political path in the face of multifaceted acts of hostility and conspiracy constitutes the major achievement in the 20-year journey of independence.

In the symposium that would continue until May 18, more study papers would be presented highlighting the contribution and integrated rebuff of Eritrean citizens in the Diaspora,  and institutional, as well as human capacity building, among others.