The visit is organized by European External Policy Advisers (EEPA) as part of a project namely “Advocating on Eritrea in the EU”, said Meron.

The Eritrean delegation is comprised of nine activists, including Kassahun Checole, Dawit Mesfin, Meron Estefanos, Mehret Ghebreyesus, Habtom Yohannes, Noel Joseph, Selam Kidane, Tsedal Yohannes, and Abdurahman Sayed.

So far the Eritrea delegation met with various EU officials including representative of the Horn Africa Region, Jeremy Lester.

During its visit, the Eritrean delegation expressed its gratefulness to the EU for its efforts aiming at alleviating the socio-economic challenges in Eritrea. At the same time, according to Meron, the delegation reminded the EU that it is a “futile attempt, and even no longer morally acceptable to provide development aid to the repressive regime in Eritrea in the name of Eritrean people”.

The Eritrean delegation rather pleaded to EU policy makers “to provide support to indigenous groups not only for the purposes of socio-economic development. But also, and more importantly, for efforts aimed at democratization and respect for basic human rights, vital values which remain utterly ignored in present Eritrea.”

Reports say the visit will be concluded by Friday.

To see a discussion paper communicated to the EU by Meron Estefanos click here.