Kenya and Eritrea have agreed to permanently scrap visa requirements for their citizens in a bid to catalyse economic transformation between both countries.
The announcement was made on Thursday at State House, Nairobi when President Ruto held bilateral talks with his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki.
“We must have a regime that is free of barriers to further integration, strengthen connectivity and enhance regional trade,” said President Ruto.
The two countries agreed that there exists huge trade and investment potential between them that calls for structured collaboration.
Dr Ruto said the move would strengthen IGAD and make it effectively respond to the needs of the region.
” I thank President Afwerki most sincerely for his commitment to review his participation in our regional organization IGAD. I look forward to working closely with him and the rest of the member states to re-engineer IGAD, make it fit for purpose and enable it to respond effectively to the needs of our region ”, said President Ruto.
At the same time, President Ruto announced that Kenya will open a diplomatic mission representation in Asmara, Eritrea.
He said his administration was committed to deepening and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier, the two leaders held bilateral talks where they agreed to develop comprehensive plans of cooperation in various sectors.
The areas of focus include; agriculture, trade and investment; air transport; mining, education, renewable energy, water management, tourism, the blue economy and regional integration.
Read also; Kenya Drops to Position 31 in Africa’s Visa Openness Index.
