Foreign relations of Eritrea

Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists The foreign relations of Eritrea are the policies of the Eritrean government by which it administers its external relations with other nations. Since its independence, Eritrea's foreign relations have been dominated by conflict and confrontation, both in the regional and international arenas. It has maintained often troubled, and usually violent, relations with its neighbors, including brief armed conflicts with Yemen and Djibouti and a destructive war with its bigger-neighbour, Ethiopia.<ref name="auto">Nur, Salih O. (2013) "Foreign Policy of Eritrea: Explained in the Light of Democratic Peace Proposition." International Journal of Peace and Development Studies 4(2): 23</ref> At present, Eritrea has very tense relations with neighboring Ethiopia and Djibouti. Relations in the international arena also have been strained since the last decade, particularly with major powers. What appeared cordial relations with the US in the 1990s turned acrimonious following the border war with Ethiopia, 1998-2000.<ref name="auto"/> Although the two nations have a close working relationship regarding the ongoing war on terror, there has been a growing tension in other areas. Ties with international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have also been complicated in part because of Eritrea's outrage at their reluctance to force Ethiopia to accept a boundary commission ruling issued in 2002.<ref name="auto"/>

International organizations

Eritrea is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and is an observing member of the Arab League.

Eritrea holds a seat on the United Nations' Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

Eritrea also holds memberships in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Permanent Court of Arbitration, Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa, and the World Customs Organization.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Eritrea maintains diplomatic relations with:

File:Diplomatic relations of Eritrea.svg
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Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Template:Flag	4 June 1999	See Croatia–Eritrea relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	28 September 1993	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> See Denmark–Eritrea relations
Template:Flag	22 May 1993	See Eritrea–Ethiopia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 1993 when first Ambassador of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia's to Eritrea Mr. Awalom Woldu Tuku presented his credentials to President Issaias Afwerki.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Diplomatic relations were broken on 12 May 1998 when Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war over the disputed border area of Badme.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Diplomatic relations were restored on 8 July 2018<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In December 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace treaty ending their war and created a pair of binding judicial commissions, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission and the Eritrean-Ethiopian Claims Commission, to rule on their disputed border and related claims. In April 2002 The Commission released its decision (with a clarification in 2003).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Disagreements following the war have resulted in stalemate punctuated by periods of elevated tension and renewed threats of war.<ref name="horntension1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="horntension3">Template:Cite news</ref> Since these decisions Ethiopia has refused to permit the physical demarcation of the border while Eritrea insists the border must be demarcated as defined by the commission. Consequently, the Boundary Commission ruled boundary as virtually demarcated and effective. Eritrea maintains a military force on its border with Ethiopia roughly equal in size to Ethiopia's force, which has required a general mobilization of a significant portion of the population.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eritrea has viewed this border dispute as an existential threat to itself in particular and the African Union in general, because it deals with the supremacy of colonial boundaries in Africa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the border conflict Ethiopia no longer uses Eritrean ports for its trade.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the border conflict and since, Ethiopia has fostered militants against Eritrea (including ethnic separatists and religiously based organizations).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eritrea has retaliated by hosting militant groups against Ethiopia as well. The United Nations Security Council argues that Eritrea and Ethiopia have expanded their dispute to a second theater, Somalia.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In March 2012, Ethiopia attacked Eritrean army outposts along the border. Addis Ababa said the assault was in retaliation for the training and support given by Asmara to subversives while Eritrea said the U.S. knew of the attacks, an accusation denied by U.S. officials.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2018, leaders both countries signed a peace treaty to put a formal end to a state of war between both nations paving the way for greater economic cooperation and improved ties between them.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Eritrea has an embassy in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia has an embassy in Asmara.
Template:Flag	28 May 1993	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	3 August 1993	See Eritrea–Germany relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1993<ref name="Eritrea: Überblick"/>
Template:Flag	24 May 1993	See Eritrea–Israel relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993, despite protests among Arab countries. Israeli-Eritrean relations are close. The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment. However, Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Israeli-Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel's close ties to Ethiopia, who have shared an unfriendly dyad with Eritrea for a long time.
Template:Flag	24 May 1993	See Eritrea–Italy relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Eritrea has an embassy in Rome and a consulate in Milan. Italy has an embassy in Asmara.
Template:Flag	23 June 1993	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Eritrea is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mexico is accredited to Eritrea from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	1993	Despite Pyongyang's alignment with Ethiopia during the Eritrean War of Independence, Eritrea has maintained diplomatic relations with North Korea since the 1990s. Covert military ties also exist between Eritrea and North Korea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flag	8 June 1995	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	5 July 1993<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>	During the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, Eritrea refused a request by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to cut relations with Qatar, citing its "strong ties with the brother people of Qatar."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	24 May 1993	See Eritrea–Russia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	24 May 1993,<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref> diplomatic relations were broken from 5 December 1994 to 2 May 1999	Eritrea broke diplomatic relations with the Sudan in December 1994. This action was taken after a long period of increasing tension between the two countries due to a series of cross-border incidents involving the Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ). Although the attacks did not pose a threat to the stability of the Government of Eritrea (the infiltrators have generally been killed or captured by government forces), the Eritreans believe the National Islamic Front (NIF) in Khartoum supported, trained, and armed the insurgents. After many months of negotiations with the Sudanese to try to end the incursions, the Government of Eritrea concluded that the NIF did not intend to change its policy and broke relations. Subsequently, the Government of Eritrea hosted a conference of Sudanese opposition leaders in June 1995 in an effort to help the opposition unite and to provide a credible alternative to the present government in Khartoum. Eritrea resumed diplomatic relations with Sudan on December 10, 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since then, Sudan has accused Eritrea, along with Chad, of supporting rebels.<ref>Eritrea, Chad accused of aiding Sudan rebels Template:Webarchive, afrol News, September 7. Retrieved 2009-03-15</ref> The undemarcated border with Sudan previously posed a problem for Eritrean external relations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a high-level delegation to the Sudan from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ties are being normalized. While normalization of ties continues, Eritrea has been recognized as a broker for peace between the separate factions of the Sudanese civil war. "It is known that Eritrea played a role in bringing about the peace agreement [between the Southern Sudanese and Government],"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> while the Sudanese Government and Eastern Front rebels have requested Eritrea to mediate peace talks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Eritrean President, Isaias Afewerki, and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Al-Bashir held talks in Asmara on a number of bilateral issues of mutual concern to the two East African countries. The talks dealt with enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation including making their shared border more open. Sudan and Eritrea agreed to abolish entry visa requirements, opening their common borders for free movement of both nationals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2011, Eritrea and Sudan cooperated in the building of the Kassala-Al Lafa Highway linking the two countries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	19 July 1993	See also Eritrea–Turkey relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1993<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Embassy of Eritrea in Doha is accredited to Turkey.<ref name="mfa.gov.tr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Turkey has an embassy in Asmara.<ref name="mfa.gov.tr"/> Trade volume between the two countries was US$13.9 million in 2019.<ref name="mfa.gov.tr"/>
Template:Flag	28 June 1993<ref name=":1" />	The United Arab Emirates are a member of the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed is quoted stating the UAE are using "logistical facilities at the port and airport" in the southern city of Assab.<ref name="BBC">Template:Cite news</ref> Human Rights Watch reported that the UAE maintains a detention facility at the Assab base, where it may have transferred high-profile prisoners out of Yemen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flag	Template:Date table sorting	See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom Eritrea established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 November 1993. Eritrea maintains an embassy in London.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The United Kingdom is accredited to Eritrea through its embassy in Asmara.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> The UK administered Eritrea from 1941 to 1952, when Eritrea united with Ethiopia into a federation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	11 June 1993	See Eritrea–United States relations Diplomatic relations between the United States and the State of Eritrea were established on June 11, 1993.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Eritrea has an embassy in Washington, D.C. The United States has an embassy in Asmara.
Template:Flag	24 May 1993<ref name=":2" />	A dispute with Yemen over the Hanish Islands in 1996 resulted in a brief war. As part of an agreement to cease hostilities, the nations agreed to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. At the conclusion of the proceedings, both nations acquiesced to the 1998 decision which said sovereignty should be shared.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Arab–Eritrean relations
• Eritrea–United States relations
• Denmark–Eritrea relations
• List of diplomatic missions in Eritrea
• List of diplomatic missions of Eritrea