German Federal Foreign Office State Minister Müntefering will visit Eritrea

The German Federal Foreign Office State Minister, Michelle Müntefering is set to visit Eritrea and Ethiopia.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (ADV) – The German Federal Foreign Office State Minister, Michelle Müntefering is set to visit Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Müntefering said the peace process that has now been launched between Eritrea and Ethiopia harbours vast potential for the entire region, adding that her country intends to continue supporting this process.

“We are currently observing an unforeseen political transformation in the Horn of Africa. In my talks in Eritrea, I want to encourage our partners to seize the opportunities offered by this development,

“That applies particularly to cooperation on human rights issues and in the area of culture, but also to economic reform and investment. In Ethiopia I am looking forward to exchanging views with cultural and civil society representatives, who play a crucial role in creating an open society,” said Müntefering.

Her visit to comes after the two countries held the official opening of a common border along the Tigray regional state. The opening was done by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed and his Eritrean counterpart, President Isaias Afwerki recently.

In September last year, there was symbolic reopening of border crossings between the two countries, months after a peace deal that ended decades of “no peace – no war” stance.