Eritrea’s prez thanks Kuwait, comments on Iraq, Ethiopia,
Sudan
KUWAIT, Oct 5 (KUNA) -- President of Eritrea Isaias Afworki commended the
Eritrean-Kuwaiti
relations, saying that they are based on historic background
dating
back 40 years.
In a press conference held at Bayan Palace Monday, the president said that
"Kuwait
has supported Eritrea's right to determine own fate at international
conventions
since the beginning of the armed conflict in 1961 up to its
independence
in 1990."
"Kuwait's support has continued at different levels, including
developmental
and investment projects," he continued.
He noted that the aim of his visit is "to consolidate strategic relations
and
effective cooperation between the two sides so as to create a suitable
atmosphere
for investment, development and trade between the two countries."
The Eritrean President went on to say that there are several development
and
infrastructure projects underway in cooperation with the Kuwait Fund for
Arab
Economic Development (KFAED) and others still being studied, as well as
relations
with the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Despite the small size of Eritrea and the poverty it suffers, Afworki said
that
what has been achieved over the last ten years is greater than any
achievement
made by other African countries.
"The government is currently seeking to provide the necessary
infrastructure
to create an attracting atmosphere for investors," he said.
The number of KFAED loans to Eritrea number four at a total cost of KD 20.8
million,
as well a grant of KD 298,000.
--
In response to a question regarding accusations that Eritrea
interferes
in the internal affairs of Sudan, Yemen and Ethiopia, and trains
and
houses insurgents, Afworki said, "These countries must resolve their
internal
affairs without exporting them abroad."
He invited the media, as well as neutral and objective bodies to visit
Eritrea
to see for themselves that it is free from such opposition training
camps
and Israeli bases, adding that "these camps do not exist and we receive
all
of this information from the media."
He described these accusations as "being a figment of the imagination of
many,"
wondering at the same time whether the aim behind them is "to instigate
problems
to cover up issues or to cause confusion?"
Regarding Eritrean-Ethiopian relations, the president said that there are
tensions
due to Ethiopia's rejection of the final and committing verdict of
the
court established to resolve the conflict between the two countries,
stressing
that "the issue have been settled."
As for Eritrea's membership in the Arab League, he said that "despite many
reservations
as to the Arab League, we have reached a compromise in the form
of
participating as an observing member," adding that "there is no use
in
joining
the Arab League at a time when many discontent members are leaving it.
-
On Iraq, he stressed that "there is no debate over the fact that
ousting
the former Iraqi regime was the right step for achieving regional
stability,
but what took place following this action is due to miscalculations
and
lack of understanding as to the Iraqi nature."
Afworki said, in his personal opinion "what is important is correcting the
mistakes
that have taken place and not whether or not the elections are held
on
time," adding that "the elections should not be looked at in terms of
timing,
as it is a matter of transition for the return of stability to Iraq."
The Eritrean President Isaias Afworki had arrived in Kuwait on Saturday on
a
four-day visit during which he met with the Representative of His Highness
the
Amir, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as
well
as the Minister of Energy Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
He also met with Acting Director-General of KFAED Abdul-Wahab Al-Bader,
Board
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ali Thnayan Al-Ghanim
and
the acting chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee MP
Marzouk
Al-Hubaini. (end)
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