During their two-day meeting in Bahir Dar on 9-10 November, the leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia appraised the Joint Declaration on Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation signed in Asmara on September 6, 2018.
The tripartite discussions focused on regional economic integration, strengthening peace and security in the Horn region, and on developing a common and aligned voice on international agendas.
Furthermore, the leaders underlined the utmost importance of respecting the territorial integrity of Somalia and providing support for its people and institutions.
In a press statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, said they would work towards the historical transformation of the Horn of Africa region towards peace and integration.
“The three leaders reviewed developments and achievements since the signing of Asmara joint declaration on friendship and comprehensive cooperation in September and noted with satisfaction the tangible and positive outcomes already registered and agreed to consolidate their mutual solidarity and support in addressing challenges that they face individually and collectively,” said the joint statement.
The meeting of the three leaders comes amidst wide-spread optimism in the Horn of Africa region that it would move from a chronically unstable region to one of political cooperation and economic integration.
“The three leaders also welcomed the impending lifting of all sanctions against Eritrea and underscored their conviction the lifting of the sanctions would reaffirm their commitment to inclusive regional peace and cooperation,” reads part of the statement.
