Addressing a question regarding how Ethiopia views the recent “maritime agreement” signed between Cairo and Asmara, the Spokesperson for the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, stated that the Ethiopian government will simply respond by further intensifying its quest for access to the sea.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday, the spokesperson said, “Yes, there are frequent provocative moves that appear designed to encircle Ethiopia. It is their [Egypt’s] approach that they have been doing so for a while. It happens to increase when Ethiopia raises its sea coast quest.”
According to the spokesperson, Ethiopia’s response is simply to push further ahead with its quest “peacefully and diplomatically.”
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Recently, a high-profile Egyptian delegation—led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir—headed to Asmara to meet with President Isaias Afwerki. The visit reportedly resulted in the signing of a “cooperation agreement on maritime transport and the establishment of a shipping line linking Egyptian and Eritrean ports via the Red Sea.”
Abdelatty reportedly stressed to Afwerki that the “governance and security” of the Red Sea must remain the “exclusive responsibility” of the waterway’s littoral (coastal) states.
