President Isaias Afwerki calls for respect for national sovereignty

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, attending the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, stated that regional stability is impossible without respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In an interview with Sputnik, he emphasized that this principle must guide all international relations. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated readiness to facilitate bilateral talks between Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders if requested. Asmara reiterated its grievances regarding Ethiopia's diplomatic efforts to secure Red Sea access, labeling them as infringements on its sovereignty. President Isaias also urged African nations to take ownership of their own problems and criticized the Western-dominated global financial system.