An Ethiopian cargo ship has docked in the Eritrean port of Masawa for the first time in about two decades, an Ethiopian state-linked broadcaster has tweeted:
FANA BROADCASTING C @fanatelevision
Ethiopia-n cargo ship docks in #Eritrea -n port of #Massawa https://fanabc.com/english/2018/09/ethiopian-cargo-ship-docks-in-eritrean-port-of-massawa/
12:28 AM - Sep 5, 2018
Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is currently in Eritrea for his latest round of talks with President Isaias Afwerki after the two leaders signed an agreement in July to end the "state of war" between the two countries.
The visit is seen as vital in landlocked Ethiopia's efforts to gain access to Eritrea's ports for the first time since the 1998-2000 border conflict that killed tens of of thousands of people.
The ship arrived from Saudi Arabia, according to a tweet by a privately owned Ethiopian news site: Addis Standard@addisstandard
#Ethiopia-#Eritrea:PM #AbiyAhmed makes unannounced visit to Port #Massawa & #Assab today, ETV & FanaBc said. It follows last night's announcement that an Ethiopian commercial ship was scheduled to dock in in port Massawa after 20 yrs. PM Abiy was welcomed by Pres. Isaias Afwerki. pic.twitter.com/xdh8gL3Kjx
Addis Standard@addisstandard
Update: PM #AbiyAhmed visited port #Assab & the 71km long road which stretches from #Ethiopian border to the port. He is also expected to visit port of Massawa this afternoon
?Ethiopian commercial ship will dock today at #Massawa Port from #SaudiArabia https://fanabc.com/english/2018/09/prime-minister-dr-abiy-ahmed-arrives-at-port-of-assab-eritrea/ … pic.twitter.com/ttxUsflBld