WASHINGTON, July 10 (KUNA) -- The United States welcomes the agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea to officially end of 20 years of conflict, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed Tuesday.
"We commend Prime Minister Abiy of Ethiopia and President Isaias of Eritrea for courageously leading their citizens towards peace, prosperity, and political reform," Pompeo said in a statement released by the State Department.
He noted the normalization of relations and the "adoption of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia will provide their peoples with the opportunity to focus on shared aspirations for closer political, economic and social ties." Ethiopia and Eritrea officially restored relations on July 9; 20 years after a border war killed an estimated 80,000 people.
The US welcomed the countries' joint commitment to peace and security and "stands ready to support this process, and encourages all parties to continue working with transparency and confidence in the coming days.
"Peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea will further the cause of stability, security, and development in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea," Pompeo said. (end) hy.hb