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<p>Following the historic agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia in July 2018, reconnecting
the two countries and providing Ethiopia access to Eritrea’s ports is a priority.
This will help to boost both countries’ economies, and generate job opportunities.</p><p>The
UK welcomes reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Our support for the project
under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, to reconnect Eritrea and Ethiopia through
the rehabilitation of the main roads, was conditional on the EU working with the UN
to monitor the treatment of national service workers implementing the project. We
are continuing to monitor this. We note increased engagement from Eritrea with the
EU on human rights issues since the inception of the project, including two Article
8 dialogues and the visit to Asmara of the EU Special Representative on Human Rights.</p><p>The
border between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains closed and we are concerned that both
sides are yet to agree substantive arrangements on trade and border management given
the impact this has on peace agreement. Like our partners in the EU we urge the two
countries to ensure the agreement is fully implemented in order to bring stability
and prosperity to their countries and the Horn of Africa region.</p>
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