Foreign relations of Eritrea

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Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists The foreign relations of Eritrea are the policies of the Eritrean government by which it administers its external relations with other nations. Since its independence, Eritrea's foreign relations have been dominated by conflict and confrontation, both in the regional and international arenas. It has maintained often troubled, and usually violent, relations with its neighbors, including brief armed conflicts with Yemen and Djibouti and a destructive war with its bigger-neighbour, Ethiopia.[1] At present, Eritrea has very tense relations with neighboring Ethiopia and Djibouti. Relations in the international arena also have been strained since the last decade, particularly with major powers. What appeared cordial relations with the US in the 1990s turned acrimonious following the border war with Ethiopia, 1998-2000.[1] Although the two nations have a close working relationship regarding the ongoing war on terror, there has been a growing tension in other areas. Ties with international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have also been complicated in part because of Eritrea's outrage at their reluctance to force Ethiopia to accept a boundary commission ruling issued in 2002.[1]

International organizations

Eritrea is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and is an observing member of the Arab League.

Eritrea holds a seat on the United Nations' Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

Eritrea also holds memberships in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Permanent Court of Arbitration, Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa, and the World Customs Organization.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Eritrea maintains diplomatic relations with:

File:Diplomatic relations of Eritrea.svg
# Country Date
1 Template:Country data Ethiopia Template:Dts[2]
2 Template:Country data Yemen Template:Dts[3]
3 Template:Country data Argentina Template:DTS[4]
4 Template:Country data Italy Template:DTS[5]
5 Template:Country data Russia Template:DTS[6]
6 Template:Country data South Korea Template:Date table sorting[7]
7 Template:Country data Sudan Template:Dts[2]
8 Template:Country data North Korea Template:Dts[8]
9 Template:Country data Finland Template:Dts[9]
10 Template:Country data Bulgaria Template:Dts[10]
11 Template:Country data United States Template:Dts[11]
12 Template:Country data Mexico Template:Dts[12]
13 Template:Country data United Arab Emirates Template:Dts[2]
14 Template:Country data Qatar Template:Dts[2]
15 Template:Country data Djibouti Template:Dts[2]
16 Template:Country data China Template:Dts[2]
17 Template:Country data Jordan Template:Dts[2]
18 Template:Country data Poland Template:Dts[2]
19 Template:Country data Vietnam Template:Dts[13]
20 Template:Country data Sweden Template:Dts[14]
21 Template:Country data Indonesia Template:Dts[2]
22 Template:Country data Germany Template:Dts[15]
23 Template:Country data Ivory Coast Template:Dts[2]
24 Template:Country data Egypt Template:Dts[2]
25 Template:Country data Hungary Template:Dts[2]
26 Template:Country data Japan Template:Dts[2]
27 Template:Country data Lebanon Template:Dts[2]
28 Template:Country data Kenya Template:Dts[2]
29 Template:Country data India Template:Dts[2]
30 Template:Country data Denmark Template:Dts[16]
31 Template:Country data Spain Template:Dts[2]
32 Template:Country data Kuwait Template:Dts[2]
33 Template:Country data Tunisia Template:Dts[2]
34 Template:Country data Israel Template:Dts[2]
35 Template:Country data Canada Template:Dts[2]
36 Template:Country data United Kingdom Template:Dts[2]
37 Template:Country data Saudi Arabia Template:Dts[2]
38 Template:Country data Romania Template:Dts[2]
39 Template:Country data Australia Template:Dts[2]
40 Template:Country data Pakistan Template:Dts[2]
41 Template:Country data Thailand Template:Dts[2]
42 Template:Country data Singapore Template:Dts[2]
43 Template:Country data Ukraine Template:Dts[2]
44 Template:Country data Czech Republic Template:Dts[2]
45 Template:Country data Namibia Template:Dts[2]
46 Template:Country data Uganda Template:Dts[2]
47 Template:Country data Austria Template:Dts[2]
48 Template:Country data Norway Template:Dts[17]
49 Template:Country data Switzerland Template:Dts[2]
50 Template:Country data France Template:Dts[2]
51 Template:Country data Algeria Template:Dts[2]
52 Template:Country data Belgium Template:Dts[2]
53 Template:Country data Oman Template:Dts[2]
54 Template:Country data Syria Template:Dts[2]
55 Template:Country data Morocco Template:Dts[2]
56 Template:Country data Turkey Template:Dts[2]
57 Template:Country data Netherlands Template:Dts[2]
58 Template:Country data Zambia Template:Dts[2]
58 Template:Country data Armenia Template:Dts[18]
60 Template:Country data Colombia Template:Dts[19]
61 Template:Country data Slovakia Template:Dts[20]
62 Template:Country data South Africa Template:Dts[21]
63 Template:Country data Portugal Template:Dts[19]
64 Template:Country data Greece Template:Dts[22]
65 Template:Country data Zimbabwe Template:Dts[22]
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66 Template:Country data Bahrain Template:Dts[24]
67 Template:Country data Slovenia Template:Dts[25]
68 Template:Country data Bosnia and Herzegovina Template:Date table sorting[26]
69 Template:Country data Brazil Template:Dts[19]
70 Template:Country data Cuba Template:Dts[19]
71 Template:Country data Philippines Template:Dts[27]
72 Template:Country data Malaysia Template:Dts[28]
73 Template:Country data Libya Template:Dts[29]
74 Template:Country data Lithuania Template:Dts[30]
75 Template:Country data Belarus Template:Dts[31]
76 Template:Country data Nigeria Template:Dts[32]
77 Template:Country data Croatia Template:Dts[33]
78 Template:Country data New Zealand Template:Dts[34]
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79 Template:Country data North Macedonia Template:Date table sorting[36]
80 Template:Country data Cyprus Template:Dts[19]
81 Template:Country data Somalia Template:Dts[37]
82 Template:Country data Ireland Template:Dts[38]
83 Template:Country data Seychelles Template:Dts[19]
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85 Template:Country data Azerbaijan Template:Dts[19]
86 Template:Country data Mauritius Template:Dts[19]
87 Template:Country data Brunei Template:Dts[19]
88 Template:Country data Ghana Template:Dts[39]
89 Template:Country data Iceland Template:Dts[19]
90 Template:Country data Estonia Template:Dts[40]
91 Template:Country data Tajikistan Template:Dts[41]
92 Template:Country data San Marino Template:Dts[42]
93 Template:Country data Iran Template:Date table sorting[43][44]
94 Template:Country data Tanzania Template:Dts[45]
95 Template:Country data Dominican Republic Template:Date table sorting[46]
96 Template:Country data Sri Lanka Template:Dts[47]
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99 Template:Country data Malta Template:Dts[19]
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101 Template:Country data Paraguay Template:Dts[49]
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103 Template:Country data Solomon Islands Template:Dts[19]
104 Template:Country data South Sudan Template:Dts[50]
105 Template:Country data Mali Template:Dts[51]
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107 Template:Country data Angola Template:Date table sorting[52]
108 Template:Country data Latvia Template:Dts[53]
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110 Template:Country data Mozambique Template:Dts[55]
111 Template:Country data Ecuador Template:Dts[19]
112 Template:Country data Mongolia Template:Dts[19]
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114 Template:Country data Senegal Template:Dts[56]
115 Template:Country data Lesotho Template:Dts[57]
116 Template:Country data Mauritania Template:Dts[58]
117 Template:Country data Kazakhstan Template:Dts[19]
118 Template:Country data Eswatini Template:Dts[59]
119 Template:Country data Madagascar Template:Dts[60]
120 Template:Country data Rwanda Template:Dts[61]
121 Template:Country data Malawi Template:Dts[62]
122 Template:Country data Nepal Template:Dts[19]
123 Template:Country data Guinea Template:Dts[63]
124 Template:Country data Nicaragua Template:Dts[19]
125 Template:Country data Maldives Template:Dts[19]
126 Template:Country data Dominica Template:Dts[19]
127 Template:Country data Chad Template:Dts[64]
128 Template:Country data Jamaica Template:Dts[65]
129 Template:Country data Niger Template:Dts[66]
130 Template:Country data Saint Lucia Template:Dts[19]

Bilateral relations

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Template:Country data Croatia 4 June 1999 See Croatia–Eritrea relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999[67]

Template:Country data Denmark 28 September 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 September 1993[16][68] See Denmark–Eritrea relations
Template:Country data Ethiopia 22 May 1993 See Eritrea–Ethiopia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 1993 when first Ambassador of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia's to Eritrea Mr. Awalom Woldu Tuku presented his credentials to President Issaias Afwerki.[69] Diplomatic relations were broken on 12 May 1998 when Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war over the disputed border area of Badme.[70] Diplomatic relations were restored on 8 July 2018[71]

In December 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace treaty ending their war and created a pair of binding judicial commissions, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission and the Eritrean-Ethiopian Claims Commission, to rule on their disputed border and related claims. In April 2002 The Commission released its decision (with a clarification in 2003).[72] Disagreements following the war have resulted in stalemate punctuated by periods of elevated tension and renewed threats of war.[73][74] Since these decisions Ethiopia has refused to permit the physical demarcation of the border while Eritrea insists the border must be demarcated as defined by the commission. Consequently, the Boundary Commission ruled boundary as virtually demarcated and effective.

Eritrea maintains a military force on its border with Ethiopia roughly equal in size to Ethiopia's force, which has required a general mobilization of a significant portion of the population.[75] Eritrea has viewed this border dispute as an existential threat to itself in particular and the African Union in general, because it deals with the supremacy of colonial boundaries in Africa.[76] Since the border conflict Ethiopia no longer uses Eritrean ports for its trade.[77]

During the border conflict and since, Ethiopia has fostered militants against Eritrea (including ethnic separatists and religiously based organizations).[78] Eritrea has retaliated by hosting militant groups against Ethiopia as well. The United Nations Security Council argues that Eritrea and Ethiopia have expanded their dispute to a second theater, Somalia.[79]

In March 2012, Ethiopia attacked Eritrean army outposts along the border. Addis Ababa said the assault was in retaliation for the training and support given by Asmara to subversives while Eritrea said the U.S. knew of the attacks, an accusation denied by U.S. officials.[80]

In July 2018, leaders both countries signed a peace treaty to put a formal end to a state of war between both nations paving the way for greater economic cooperation and improved ties between them.[81]

Template:Country data Finland 28 May 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1993[82]
Template:Country data Germany 3 August 1993 See Eritrea–Germany relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1993[15]

Template:Country data Israel 24 May 1993 See Eritrea–Israel relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993.[83]

Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993, despite protests among Arab countries. Israeli-Eritrean relations are close. The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment. However, Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.[84] Israeli-Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel's close ties to Ethiopia, who have shared an unfriendly dyad with Eritrea for a long time.

Template:Country data Italy 24 May 1993 See Eritrea–Italy relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993[85]

  • Eritrea has an embassy in Rome and a consulate in Milan.
  • Italy has an embassy in Asmara.
Template:Country data Mexico 23 June 1993 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1993[86]
Template:Country data North Korea 1993 Despite Pyongyang's alignment with Ethiopia during the Eritrean War of Independence, Eritrea has maintained diplomatic relations with North Korea since the 1990s. Covert military ties also exist between Eritrea and North Korea.[89]
Template:Country data Portugal 8 June 1995 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1995 when Ambassador of Portugal to Eritrea with residence in Nairobi Mr. José Caetano da Costa Pereira presented his credentials.[90]
Template:Country data Qatar 5 July 1993[91]

During the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, Eritrea refused a request by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to cut relations with Qatar, citing its "strong ties with the brother people of Qatar."[92]

Template:Country data Russia 24 May 1993 See Eritrea–Russia relations
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993[93]
Template:Country data Sudan 24 May 1993,[94] diplomatic relations were broken from 5 December 1994 to 2 May 1999

Eritrea broke diplomatic relations with the Sudan in December 1994. This action was taken after a long period of increasing tension between the two countries due to a series of cross-border incidents involving the Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ). Although the attacks did not pose a threat to the stability of the Government of Eritrea (the infiltrators have generally been killed or captured by government forces), the Eritreans believe the National Islamic Front (NIF) in Khartoum supported, trained, and armed the insurgents. After many months of negotiations with the Sudanese to try to end the incursions, the Government of Eritrea concluded that the NIF did not intend to change its policy and broke relations. Subsequently, the Government of Eritrea hosted a conference of Sudanese opposition leaders in June 1995 in an effort to help the opposition unite and to provide a credible alternative to the present government in Khartoum. Eritrea resumed diplomatic relations with Sudan on December 10, 2005.[95] Since then, Sudan has accused Eritrea, along with Chad, of supporting rebels.[96] The undemarcated border with Sudan previously posed a problem for Eritrean external relations.[97]

After a high-level delegation to the Sudan from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ties are being normalized. While normalization of ties continues, Eritrea has been recognized as a broker for peace between the separate factions of the Sudanese civil war. "It is known that Eritrea played a role in bringing about the peace agreement [between the Southern Sudanese and Government],"[98] while the Sudanese Government and Eastern Front rebels have requested Eritrea to mediate peace talks.[99] The Eritrean President, Isaias Afewerki, and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Al-Bashir held talks in Asmara on a number of bilateral issues of mutual concern to the two East African countries. The talks dealt with enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation including making their shared border more open. Sudan and Eritrea agreed to abolish entry visa requirements, opening their common borders for free movement of both nationals.[100] In 2011, Eritrea and Sudan cooperated in the building of the Kassala-Al Lafa Highway linking the two countries.[101]

Template:Country data Turkey 19 July 1993 See also Eritrea–Turkey relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1993[102]

  • The Embassy of Eritrea in Doha is accredited to Turkey.[103]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Asmara.[103]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$13.9 million in 2019.[103]
Template:Country data United Arab Emirates 28 June 1993[91]

The United Arab Emirates are a member of the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed is quoted stating the UAE are using "logistical facilities at the port and airport" in the southern city of Assab.[104] Human Rights Watch reported that the UAE maintains a detention facility at the Assab base, where it may have transferred high-profile prisoners out of Yemen.[105]

Template:Country data United Kingdom Template:Date table sorting See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

Eritrea established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 November 1993.

  • Eritrea maintains an embassy in London.[106]
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Eritrea through its embassy in Asmara.[107]

The UK administered Eritrea from 1941 to 1952, when Eritrea united with Ethiopia into a federation.[108]

Template:Country data United States 11 June 1993 See Eritrea–United States relations

Diplomatic relations between the United States and the State of Eritrea were established on June 11, 1993.[109]

Template:Country data Yemen 24 May 1993[94]

A dispute with Yemen over the Hanish Islands in 1996 resulted in a brief war. As part of an agreement to cease hostilities, the nations agreed to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. At the conclusion of the proceedings, both nations acquiesced to the 1998 decision which said sovereignty should be shared.[110]

See also

References

Template:Reflist Template:Foreign relations of Eritrea Template:Africa in topic

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  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  96. ↑ Eritrea, Chad accused of aiding Sudan rebels Template:Webarchive, afrol News, September 7. Retrieved 2009-03-15
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  110. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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