Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs
MEDIA STATEMENT ON VISIT BY FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED NZO TO THE STATE OF ERITREA: 2-4 MARCH 1998
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, accompanied by the South African Ambassador in Addis Ababa, Mr Welile Nhlapo, will pay an official visit to the State of Eritrea from 2 to 4 March 1998. This will be the first visit to the country by a South African Government Minister.
Minister Nzo will meet with the Eritrean President, Mr Isaias Afwerki, as well as hold discussions with his Eritrean Counterpart, Mr Haile Weldensae, with whom he will sign a declaration of Intend aimed at promoting political and economic relations. Minister Nzo will also meet with the Eritrean Ministers of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Energy and Mines and Tourism. During his stay the Minister will visit the Red Sea port city of Massawa.
Following the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Africa on 17 March 1995, Eritrea established an Embassy in Pretoria. The South African Ambassador in Addis Abab, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, is accredited to Asmara, Eritrea.
Eritrea, with a population of 3,5 million, is situated in the Horn of Africa and bordered by Sudan in the north-east, Ethiopia in the south, Djibouti in the south-east and the Red Sea in the east. The country achieved independence in 1993, following an internationally monitored referendum.
The Eritrean government's privatisation programme as well as the transfer of technology and expertise in the telecommunications, mining, manufacturing, fishing and tourism sectors are specific areas of focus for South African commerce and industry. In fact, the potentially lucrative mining and fishing industries in Eritrea have attracted prominent South African companies to the country and South African telecommunications companies have already been awarded significant contracts for the supply of telecommunications equipment to the country.
Minister Nzo's visit will, therefore, not only serve to consolidate political relations but also provide greater impetus for increased trade and investment between South Africa and Eritrea.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 01 MARCH 1998