Crown Prince welcomes President of Eritrea for talks in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said relations continue to grow with the country, which recently made a landmark peace deal with Ethiopia

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - September 19, 2018: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (3rd R) meets HE Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea (L), at Al Shati Palace. Seen with HE Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi (R) and HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs (2nd R).
(Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi )
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The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi welcomed the President of Eritrea for talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, in what marked the latest in a series of meetings following a peace deal with Ethiopia.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met with Isaias Afwerki to discuss how the UAE and his country can enhance relations.

Mr Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made a peace deal in the summer and later met in Abu Dhabi after years of conflict.

The thaw in frozen relations accelerated in June when Mr Abiy said Ethiopia would accept a UN-approved ruling, made after a two-year war, and also hand back disputed territory.

Ethiopia and Eritrea re-established diplomatic relations in July and signed a declaration of peace and friendship in the Eritrean capital Asmara.

The UAE has supported peace efforts behind the scenes and in June, Abu Dhabi pledged Dh11 billion to Ethiopia during a visit by Sheikh Mohammed.

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