Secretary-General Welcomes High-Level Eritrean Delegation’s Visit to Ethiopia as ‘First Concrete’ Step towards Normalizing Bilateral Relations

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes the visit to Ethiopia on 26 June by a high‑level delegation from Eritrea as a first concrete step in the process of normalizing relations between the two countries.  The Secretary-General notes that diplomatic overtures to ease tensions and resolve the longstanding dispute between the two countries will have a far-reaching positive impact on the whole region.

The Secretary-General once again reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to play a role in support of the two countries in the implementation of the boundary decision or in any other area they would deem useful for the United Nations to assist.