Eritrea: Land of National Service: A tool Can-Do People! for Economic Development, National (Yikealo! kikewn eyu ERI-NEWS Cohesion and the kemey zeykewn!) Defence of Sovereignty Bi-Weekly Newsletter Permanent Mission of the State of to AU and UNECA Press Section

President Isaias Received the Credentials of 25 Ambassadors Volume 1, Issue 20 On the 9th and 10th of October 2014, 16. H.E. Mr. Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui of 18 October 2014 President Isaias Afwerki received the Pakistan, credentials of 25 Ambassadors. 17. H.E. Mr. Michal Murkocinski of Inside this issue:

Poland, The Ambassadors who handed-over Eritrea Participated their credentials are:- 18. H.E. Mr. Mamadou Mamadou Sall in the AU Regional 2 of Senegal, Conference on 1. H.E. Mr. Abdelkader Hijazi of 19. H.E. Mr. Ivan Zivikovik of Serbia, Human Trafficking Algeria, 20. H.E. Mr. Juan Gonzalez Barba of and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa 2. H.E. Mrs. Roxane de Bilderling of Spain,

Belgium, 21. H.E. Mr. Paul Malok of South 50 Mining Compa- 3. H.E. Mr. Dominique Rossetti of , nies Participated in 4 the 5th Asmara Canada, 22. H.E. Mr. Martin Strub of Switzer- Mining Conference 4. H.E. Mr. Christian Manahl of EU, land, Eritrea Reaffirmed 5. H.E. Dr. Andreas Zimmer of 23. H.E. Dr. Batilda Salha Buriani of Germany, Tanzania, Unequivocal Condemnation of 24. H.E. Mr. David Ward of UK, and 6. H.E. Mr. Yogeshwar Varma of Terrorism in All its 4 India, 25. H.E. Archbishop Hubertus Forms and 7. H.E. Dr. Burhanuddin Badruz- Matheus Maria of the Vatican. Manifestations zaman of Indonesia,

8. H.E. Mr. Shabib Jovaijari of Iran, During the ceremony held at Denden Hall in Asmara, President Isaias briefed 9. H.E. Mr. Stefano Pontesilli of Italy, the Ambassadors on Eritrea’s achieve- ments in the development and diplomatic 10. H.E. Mr. Tatsushi Tereda of arenas, discussed on further developing Japan, the existing partnerships with the respec- Contact Addresses: 11. H.E. Mr. Pak Chun II of D.P.R. tive countries, and wished them success- Korea, ful tours of duty. Tel: +251-116620052 12. H.E. Mr. Pak Won-sup of R.o. Fax:+251-116620011 Email:eritreanaumission@ Korea, The Ambassadors on their part, ex- gmail.com pressed the readiness of their respective 13. H.E. Mr. Mohammed R.H. Dukali P.o.Box: 5527 nations to develop mutual co-operation , Ethiopia of Libya, with Eritrea on the basis of partnership, 14. H.E. Mr. Fabio Massimo Cantarel- including in trade and investment Eritrean Mission to li of Malta, domains, as well as in political and AU& ECA diplomatic activities. 15. H.E. Mr. Morten Von Hanno @EritreaAU Aasland of Norway,

Vol 1. Issue 20, 18 October 2014

Volume 1, Issue 20 Eri-News

Eritrea Participated in the AU Regional Conference on Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa

A high-level Eritrean Delegation led by the Minis- Eritrea’s presentation also exposed the politicized ter of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Osman Saleh, participat- preferential asylum policies of certain countries to- ed in the Regional Conference on wards Eritreans which subjects the youth to the dan- Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of gers of human trafficking and smuggling as well as Africa which took place in , Sudan from attracts many non-Eritreans to pretend to be Eritre- 13-16th October 2014. ans to expedite their asylum claims. The Presentation explained in detail the efforts made by the Eritrean The Conference was attended by representatives of Government to combat and prevent human traffick- the core countries of the initiative - i.e. Egypt, ing and smuggling at national, regional and interna- Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan - as well as several tional levels. neighboring and partner countries and organiza- tions. Minister Osman Saleh, in his remarks to the Ministerial segment that was convened on the 16th At the Experts meeting that took place from 13-15 of October, put forward a number of recommenda- October, Ambassador Araya Desta, Permanent tions to resolve the problem and reaffirmed Eritrea’s Representative of Eritrea to the AU and UNECA, commitment to combat the scourge. (The full text of made a presentation that highlighted the pull and his speech is found on page 3) push factors that cause and exacerbate human trafficking and smuggling and their consequences in the region.

Vol 1. Issue 20, 18 October 2014

Volume 1, Issue 20 Eri-News REMARKS BY H.E. MR. OSMAN SALEH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE STATE OF ERITREA AT THE AFRICAN UNION REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA, 16 OCTOBER 2014

Mr. Chairman, as active citizen political participation to pro- Excellencies, vide increased opportunities for citizens in countries that are currently sources of migra- tion. Eritrea wholeheartedly welcomes the convening of this meeting keenly aware that this is but the latest in  A review of the migration policies of the a long series of forums organized to address the crit- countries of destination, and in Eritrea’s case, ical issue of migration and the crime of human traf- the end of the selective and unjustified politi- ficking, which is affecting millions of people and cization of the migration issue. nations throughout the world. Previous gatherings have patently failed to stem the tide of illegal migra-  Protection of the rights of all migrants, includ- tion or constrain the human traffickers. If this meet- ing their right to education, skills training, ing and the related next November gathering in employment as well as their right to maintain Rome are to make a tangible contribution towards their links to and visit their home country. solving this complex problem, they cannot be mere public relations exercises. We should not be meeting Implementation of these measures, with a view to for PR purposes, to seem to be doing something, but making tangible progress within a time frame of to actually do something, to make a difference for three to five years, requires a strong political will our peoples and nations, to bring results within a and commitment of all concerned nations as well as fixed period of time. their resolute, sustained and coordinated efforts.

This requires that we go beyond general statements For Eritrea, fighting illegal migration and human on the need to address the root causes of the problem trafficking is an important national priority. Along to taking concrete steps, within specified timeframes with the continued illegal occupation of sovereign to address these root causes. It also requires, at least territory and the imposition of unjust sanctions, in Eritrea’s case, that the selective, mistaken, unjus- promoting illegal migration has been a particularly tified and counter-productive politicization of the insidious part of the tool box employed to under- issue of migration and the consequent victimization mine the country. Despite these obstructions, of Eritrean migrants as well as the rampant national- however, Eritrea is completely focused on and ity-switching is brought to a swift end. actively working for sustainable political, social and economic nation-building. Sustained, and relative to As part of a comprehensive approach to address the our resources, massive investment in socio- issue of migration and human trafficking, Eritrea economic reconstruction and human resources proposes the following:- development is beginning to bear fruit and we are confident that the next few years will see tangible  A robust and concerted effort to identify, arrest change in the lives of our people, which will all also and prosecute the human trafficking criminals, have a bearing on migration patterns. Eritrea is and all those who in different guises, including determined to work with all partners, the neighbor- human rights activism, are complicit in these ing as well as European countries, to fight human crimes. trafficking, which is a crime against humanity, and to address its root causes.  A determined effort for broad-based and sustained socio-economic development as well I thank you!

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50 Mining Companies Participated in the 5th Asmara Mining Conference

The 5th Asmara Mining Confer- Minister further elucidated the Participants also got the chance to ence was held from 1-5 October other advantages Eritrea enjoys by tour Bisha, Koka, Debarwa, 2014 in Asmara under the theme stating that: "Given its unique pro- Embaderho and Adi-Nifas mines. ‘Mining Excellence for Driving cess of nation formation, its excel- Steam train journey down the Economic Growth’. The Confer- lent strategic location, its disci- escarpment to Massawa, and ence was organized by the Minis- plined human resources, corrup- visits to Massawa and Dahlak try of Energy and Mines of Eritrea. tion-free institutions, sound mac- Islands were also organized. roeconomic policy, judicious and far looking mining law, and ex- ceptional national cohesion and stability, Eritrea is in far more advantageous position to deal with the transition towards a progres- sive integration into the globalized economy."

At the Conference, representatives of mining companies and experts The participants included Eritrean presented updates and papers on The list of the mining companies Government officials, representa- the experiences, achievements and currently operating in Eritrea tives of several countries, repre- accomplishments of the mining includes Bisha, Zara, Asmara, sentatives of 50 mining companies, companies operating in Eritrea. Colluli, Sinoma, Andi- and mining industry experts. amo Exploration, Ketina, Furthermore, a pictorial exhibition Kerkebet, Land Energy Group, The Minister of Energy and Mines portraying the activities of the Adobha Resources, etc. Many of Eritrea, General Sbhat Efrem, in mining companies operating in more are in the stage of conduct- his opening remarks indicated that Eritrea, as well as the firms sup- ing studies. about 60% of Eritrea’s territory plying machineries and equipment contains mineral resources. The was staged at the conference site.

Eritrea Reaffirmed Unequivocal Condemnation of Terrorism in All Its Forms and Manifestations

Eritrea’s Permanent Representa- violations of international law tive to the United Nations, Ambas- and human decency. He further sador Girma Asmerom, reaffirmed expressed Eritrea’s conviction Eritrea’s unequivocal condemna- that acts of terrorism should not tion of terrorism in all its forms be associated with any single and manifestations. He made the religion, nationality, civilization remarks on 09 October 2014, at or ethnic group. the Sixth Committee of the 69th session of the UN General Assem- The Ambassador went on to em- bly on the item concerning Ambassador Girma stressed that phasize that when combating ter- measures to eliminate international Eritrea strongly believes that rorism any action taken must be terrorism. terrorist acts constitute flagrant consistent with international law, Continued on page 5

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Eritrea Reaffirmed Unequivocal Condemnation of Terrorism... Continued from page 4

and that the UN as well as regional organizations sharing and exchange of best practices among countries should play important role in combating terror- and other stakeholders. Ambassador Girma also under- ism and respecting the rules of engagement. scored the need to effectively prevent and control the spread of terrorism, lay equal emphasis on devoting re- In this connection, Ambassador Girma stated sources to the four pillars identified in the Global Coun- that in order to combat all types of extremism ter Terrorism Strategy, including the root causes of ter- and terrorism, Eritrea has put in place various rorism. national legislative measures, besides taking concrete actions. The Ambassador made reference to the need for addressing long-standing inter and intra state conflicts, Moreover, he underlined that a unified global as well as politically motivated unjust sanctions imposed response is needed to effectively combat the against developing countries as part of the overall strate- danger posed by terrorists, including information gy towards fighting all forms of terrorism.

Vol 1. Issue 20, 18 October 2014