afrol News, 14 December - It becomes no surprise and coincidence that Eritrea turns to Iran for mutual ties after the Asmara government has had soured relations with most African and western countries, which have been scolding the regime for violating the rights of its opponents. Eritrea now focuses its relations on countries like Libya, Sudan and the Somali Islamists.

The Asmara government sent a special envoy to Iran, principally to lobby mutual lies with that country's government.

Iran, a country that has been at loggerheads with the international community over nuclear resumption, sponsoring terrorism and gross violations of human rights, is always ready to welcome new anti-west countries.

According to the Iranian news agency 'IRNA', an envoy of Eritrean President Issayas Afewerki held meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mr Manouchehr Mottaki. After the meeting the, Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement granting the Eritrean request.

The Tehran government said it had always supported the campaigns and struggles of the Eritrea and recognised its independence. It had therefore asked the country to open an embassy in Tehran, which would further cement the two countries' relations.

The meeting opens bilateral relations between the two countries, with Iran calling on its private companies to focus on investing in the ostracised African Horn country that has been at the centre of war with its neighbours over land.

The Eritrean envoy, Abdul Hagi, delivered a special message from President Issayas Afewerki to the Iranian leader, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He said the purpose of his visit had been to seek for political relations with Iran, open an embassy in Tehran as well as kick-start economic, political and international cooperation with Iran.

The Eritrean envoy said his country wanted to tap Iran's vast experiences in different grounds, which was why his delegation includes representatives from different ministries. Iran is a major oil exporter, but also has made great scientific advances in many other sectors, including agriculture and nuclear power.

Eritrea is currently seen by analysts to try to break out of the diplomatic isolation President Afewerki had led his country into. Only recently, Eritrea was in conflict with all its major neighbours - Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen - in addition to being condemned for human rights violations by the African Union and by departing western donor countries; and condemned by the UN for its lack of cooperation with the peacekeepers place at its border to Ethiopia.

Failing an attempt to become a major US ally in the "war against terror", President Afewerki broke with Washington one month ago, calling the US Eritrea's "historical" enemy. At the same time, Asmara started preparing for a new war against Ethiopia by supporting the radical Islamists in power in the Somali capital Mogadishu despite a UN embargo.

During the last few months, analysts see Eritrea evolving into a "rogue state" seeking ties with extremist groups and regimes all over the world. President Afewerki, who has never been elected, further has tightened his grip over the terrorised Eritrean population, which now is totally cut off from non-propaganda news and contacts with foreigners.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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