Kamaavi Posted February 5, 2010 African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Jean Ping said on Thursday that Ethiopia has never banned the Eritrean government to establish mission in Addis Ababa. Ping said he has received a letter from Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, requesting to bring to the attention of the 14th AU ordinary session that Eritrea's inability to establish a mission to the AU in Addis Ababa. In his replay letter to the Eritrean minister, Ping clearly stated that Ethiopia should never been accused for Eritrea's denial using its rights to take part in AU deliberation. Ping said the commission has discussed the issues with the government of Ethiopia at highest level and has accepted a categorical assurance that the Eritrean government is free to establish a mission to the AU in Addis Ababa. The chairperson said Ethiopia has never banned Eritrea from AU sessions and in other deliberations in Addis Ababa. In international practice, he said, countries which do not have relations with the United States. but have missions to the UN are carrying out their diplomatic missions. The chairperson indicated that the former chairperson had also informed Eritrea that it has the right to participate in AU sessions in Addis Ababa. Ping referred terms conveyed by the former chairperson to the Eritrean government that its mission will be accredit only to the African Union, will not have or carry out bilateral activities and the staff will operate from Addis Ababa only where the AU headquarters is located. The chairperson clearly stated that Ethiopia assures the necessary entry visa and security of any Eritrean delegation. Ping said Eritrean foreign minister's letter and AU's reply were circulated among delegates of the AU members during the 14th ordinary session. The chairperson called on the Eritrean government to establish its mission to the AU and attend AU meetings convening in Addis Ababa without delay or hindrance. Source: Xinhua Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
