As is well known the atrocities the Eritrean people suffered at the hands of successive Ethiopian regimes are immense and beyond comparison. And yet, achieving independence in 1991 after a long and bitter struggle, the Eritrean people chose to close the chapter on the history of Ethiopian rulers' atrocities and embark on good neighborly relations with the Ethiopian people. As a result the Eritrean people allowed Ethiopia free use of their ports, extended the necessary assistance to the new regime of the TPLF, and made crucial contribution in the establishment of a transitional government that represents the interests of all Ethiopian people by promoting an understanding among different Ethiopian political forces. However, in utter contrast to the Eritrean people's good will and earnest efforts, the TPLF regime chose to be an instrument for external forces and set out to create division among the Ethiopian people by pursuing a sub national politics. The regime's devious policies had not only hampered the Eritrean people's initiative to foster good-neighborly relations but also disrupted the peace and stability of neighboring countries and the region as a whole. Still, the Eritrean people and government will not cease making the necessary efforts until the Ethiopian people are freed from the grips of this oppressive regime and in a position experience peace. Because the only way the interests of the people of our region can be secured is by establishing peace and stability.

Furthermore, the Government of Eritrea, firmly believing that peace in Sudan is in the interest of all peoples of the Horn region, has been and is still exerting relentless efforts to promote a comprehensive political solution to the problems in Sudan. It is to be recalled that the Naivasha Peace Agreement between the SPLM and the Government of Sudan owes its basic principles to the “Asmara Declaration”, a proposal declared in Eritrea in 1994. Moreover, the Peace Agreement reached between the Sudanese Government of National Unity and the East Sudan Front last October under the care and mediation of Eritrea is also another example of the Eritrean people and government's dedication to peace in the region. Eritrea's earnest and impartial mediation role in this case had earned it a lot of appreciation from different sides and has proven in practice that African problems can be resolved by African themselves. Invited to collaborate in finding a lasting solution for the Darfur problem, Eritrea is now playing significant role in this issue as well.

Moreover, in the 1991 problem between North and South Yemen, Eritrea had firmly stood for Yemeni unity and made an important contribution in promoting stability in that country.

When minor misunderstanding arose between Eritrea and Yemen as regards the ownership of some islands, the initiative demonstrated by both parties in order to resolve the impasse peacefully and legally was exemplary. Hence, the issue was brought to the court of justice and given due verdict. And since it was implemented soon after, relations between the peoples of Eritrea and Yemen returned to normal very soon.

The Relationship between Eritrea and Djibouti dates back to the time of the Eritrean armed struggle for independence and has been developing ever since. It is one of the relations that could be quoted as exemplary. Eritrea has been playing a constructive role in resolving the discrepancies that came to an end in the early 90s that was observed between the Djiboutian government and the Front for Unity and Democracy.

The position of the people and Government of Eritrea with regards to the issue of Somalia is mainly based on historical friendship and support of the people of Somalia for the just struggle of the people of Eritrea. Thus, without siding with any political force or group, Eritrea has been exerting commendable effort in the last 16 years to bring about peace and national reconciliation among the brotherly people of Somalia. However, due to the conspiracies which the TPLF regime has been orchestrating to sabotage realization of a united government in Somalia and the foreign intervention that undermined the evolving peace, the current situation of Somalia is in its worst stage more than any time before.

As part and parcel of the peace effort Eritrea has been exerting, by reorganizing the regional origination of IGAD so as to enable it play a constructive role in the development and settlement of conflicts in our region, without being limited to its founding principle and by augmenting its objectives as what Eritrea has been playing. And this is a documented truth of history. However, due to the mercenary TPLF regime which is carrying out naked aggression and other conspiracies against neighboring countries being funded by foreign forces, so far IGAD has not been able to function effectively.

At a time when political and economic pressures are being enforced by exploiting conflicts and still by elongating and complicating them and again at a time when wry justice is persuaded upon people by aggression and military intervention and intimidation, Eritrea's altruistic and legitimate effort for peace and stability brings about brothers in open heart into a round table and promotes self-made solution that can be labeled as a beacon of hope in this dark moment for the people of our region. Those who champion peace, upon observing this determined and fruitful effort have been coming to Eritrea and arriving in Asmara, and this should not be a wonder. In this region which is rocking by conflicts, Eritrea has been a country able to ascertain exemplary domestic peace and stability. In addition, Eritrea doesn't entertain any obscure agenda save for honest intention of the people and Government of Eritrea that stand for good –neighborliness, and this in turn has made our nation a symbol of peace and an epicenter of peaceful dialogue and just settlement .