The foreign relations of Eritrea are the policies of the Eritrean government by which it administers its external relations with other nations. Since its independence, Eritrea's foreign relations have been dominated by conflict and confrontation, both in the regional and international arenas. It has maintained often troubled, and usually violent, relations with its neighbors, including brief armed conflicts with Yemen and Djibouti and a destructive war with its bigger-neighbour, Ethiopia.[1] At present, Eritrea has very tense relations with neighboring Ethiopia and Djibouti. Relations in the international arena also have been strained since the last decade, particularly with major powers. What appeared cordial relations with the US in the 1990s turned acrimonious following the border war with Ethiopia, 1998-2000.[1] Although the two nations have a close working relationship regarding the ongoing war on terror, there has been a growing tension in other areas. Ties with international organizations such as the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union have also been complicated in part because of Eritrea's outrage at their reluctance to force Ethiopia to accept a boundary commission ruling issued in 2002.[1]
Eritrea is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and is an observing member of the Arab League.
Eritrea holds a seat on the United Nations' Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).
Eritrea also holds memberships in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Permanent Court of Arbitration, Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa, and the World Customs Organization.
List of countries which Eritrea maintains diplomatic relations with:
| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Croatia | 4 June 1999 | See Croatia–Eritrea relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1999[67] | |
| 28 September 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 September 1993[68] See Denmark–Eritrea relations | ||
 Ethiopia | 22 May 1993 | See Eritrea–Ethiopia relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 22 May 1993 when first Ambassador of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia's to Eritrea Mr. Awalom Woldu Tuku presented his credentials to President Issaias Afwerki.[69] Diplomatic relations were broken on 12 May 1998 when Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war over the disputed border area of Badme.[70] Diplomatic relations were restored on 8 July 2018[71] Eritrea's foreign relations with Ethiopia are adversarial.[72] Immediately after Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia, relations were cordial despite the former relationship. Since independence Eritrea's relationship with Ethiopia was entirely political, especially in the resuscitation and expansion of IGAD's scope. Since 1998 and the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, the relationship became increasingly hostile. In December 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace treaty ending their war and created a pair of binding judicial commissions, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission and the Eritrean-Ethiopian Claims Commission, to rule on their disputed border and related claims. In April 2002 The Commission released its decision (with a clarification in 2003).[73] Disagreements following the war have resulted in stalemate punctuated by periods of elevated tension and renewed threats of war.[74] [75] Since these decisions Ethiopia has refused to permit the physical demarcation of the border while Eritrea insists the border must be demarcated as defined by the commission. Consequently, the Boundary Commission ruled boundary as virtually demarcated and effective. Eritrea maintains a military force on its border with Ethiopia roughly equal in size to Ethiopia's force, which has required a general mobilization of a significant portion of the population.[76] Eritrea has viewed this border dispute as an existential threat to itself in particular and the African Union in general, because it deals with the supremacy of colonial boundaries in Africa.[77] Since the border conflict Ethiopia no longer uses Eritrean ports for its trade.[78] During the border conflict and since, Ethiopia has fostered militants against Eritrea (including ethnic separatists and religiously based organizations).[79] Eritrea has retaliated by hosting militant groups against Ethiopia as well. The United Nations Security Council argues that Eritrea and Ethiopia have expanded their dispute to a second theater, Somalia.[80] In March 2012, Ethiopia attacked Eritrean army outposts along the border. Addis Ababa said the assault was in retaliation for the training and support given by Asmara to subversives while Eritrea said the U.S. knew of the attacks, an accusation denied by U.S. officials.[81] In July 2018, leaders both countries signed a peace treaty to put a formal end to a state of war between both nations paving the way for greater economic cooperation and improved ties between them.[82]
| |
 Finland | 28 May 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1993[83] | |
 Germany | 3 August 1993 | See Eritrea–Germany relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 3 August 1993 | |
 Israel | 24 May 1993 | See Eritrea–Israel relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993.[84] Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993, despite protests among Arab countries. Israeli-Eritrean relations are close. The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment. However, Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict.[85] Israeli-Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel's close ties to Ethiopia, who have shared an unfriendly dyad with Eritrea for a long time. | |
 Italy | 24 May 1993 | See Eritrea–Italy relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 24 May 1993[86] | |
 Mexico | 23 June 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 June 1993[87]
| |
| 1993 | Despite Pyongyang's alignment with Ethiopia during the Eritrean War of Independence, Eritrea has maintained diplomatic relations with North Korea since the 1990s. Covert military ties also exist between Eritrea and North Korea.[90] | ||
| 8 June 1995 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1995 when Ambassador of Portugal to Eritrea with residence in Nairobi Mr. José Caetano da Costa Pereira presented his credentials.[91] | ||
 Qatar | 5 July 1993[92] | During the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, Eritrea refused a request by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to cut relations with Qatar, citing its "strong ties with the brother people of Qatar."[93] | |
| 24 May 1993 | See Eritrea–Russia relations
| ||
 Sudan | 24 May 1993,[95] diplomatic relations were broken from 5 December 1994 to 2 May 1999 | Eritrea broke diplomatic relations with the Sudan in December 1994. This action was taken after a long period of increasing tension between the two countries due to a series of cross-border incidents involving the Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ). Although the attacks did not pose a threat to the stability of the Government of Eritrea (the infiltrators have generally been killed or captured by government forces), the Eritreans believe the National Islamic Front (NIF) in Khartoum supported, trained, and armed the insurgents. After many months of negotiations with the Sudanese to try to end the incursions, the Government of Eritrea concluded that the NIF did not intend to change its policy and broke relations. Subsequently, the Government of Eritrea hosted a conference of Sudanese opposition leaders in June 1995 in an effort to help the opposition unite and to provide a credible alternative to the present government in Khartoum. Eritrea resumed diplomatic relations with Sudan on December 10, 2005.[96] Since then, Sudan has accused Eritrea, along with Chad, of supporting rebels.[97] The undemarcated border with Sudan previously posed a problem for Eritrean external relations.[98] After a high-level delegation to the Sudan from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ties are being normalized. While normalization of ties continues, Eritrea has been recognized as a broker for peace between the separate factions of the Sudanese civil war. "It is known that Eritrea played a role in bringing about the peace agreement [between the Southern Sudanese and Government],"[99] while the Sudanese Government and Eastern Front rebels have requested Eritrea to mediate peace talks.[100] The Eritrean President, Isaias Afewerki, and his Sudanese counterpart Omar Al-Bashir held talks in Asmara on a number of bilateral issues of mutual concern to the two East African countries. The talks dealt with enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation including making their shared border more open. Sudan and Eritrea agreed to abolish entry visa requirements, opening their common borders for free movement of both nationals.[101] In 2011, Eritrea and Sudan cooperated in the building of the Kassala-Al Lafa Highway linking the two countries.[102] | |
 Turkey | 19 July 1993 | See also Eritrea–Turkey relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 19 July 1993[103] | |
 United Arab Emirates | 28 June 1993 | The United Arab Emirates are a member of the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed is quoted stating the UAE are using "logistical facilities at the port and airport" in the southern city of Assab.[105] Human Rights Watch reported that the UAE maintains a detention facility at the Assab base, where it may have transferred high-profile prisoners out of Yemen.[106] | |
 United States | 11 June 1993 | See Eritrea–United States relations Diplomatic relations between the United States and the State of Eritrea were established on June 11, 1993.[107]
| |
 Yemen | 24 May 1993 | A dispute with Yemen over the Hanish Islands in 1996 resulted in a brief war. As part of an agreement to cease hostilities, the nations agreed to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. At the conclusion of the proceedings, both nations acquiesced to the 1998 decision which said sovereignty should be shared.[108] |
Argentina
Bulgaria
Djibouti
China
Jordan
Poland
Sweden
Indonesia
Egypt
Hungary
Japan
Lebanon
Kenya
India
Denmark
Spain
Kuwait
Tunisia
Canada
United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia
Romania
Australia
Pakistan
Thailand
Singapore
Ukraine
Czech Republic
Namibia
Uganda
Austria
Norway
Switzerland
France
Algeria
Belgium
Oman
Morocco
Netherlands
Zambia
Armenia
Colombia
Slovakia
South Africa
Portugal
Greece
Zimbabwe
Bahrain
Slovenia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Cuba
Philippines
Libya
Lithuania
Belarus
Nigeria
New Zealand
Malaysia
Cyprus
Ireland
Seychelles
Azerbaijan
Mauritius
Ghana
Iceland
Estonia
Tajikistan
San Marino
Dominican Republic
Sri Lanka
Montenegro
Luxembourg
Malta
Cambodia
Paraguay
Fiji
Solomon Islands
Mali
Georgia
Angola
Latvia
Serbia
Mozambique
Ecuador
Mongolia
Kyrgyzstan
Senegal
Lesotho
Mauritania
Kazakhstan
Madagascar
Rwanda
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Dominica
Chad
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Niger