5th Annual ERI-UK Friendship Forum
Building People to People Partnership
"May in Honour of Independence Day"
May 23, 2013
On the occasion of
Eritrea’s 22nd year of Independence, the Eritrean Embassy in London organized for
Friends of Eritrea as part of the program “May in Honour of Independence Day in
the UK” on 23rd May 2013, that encompassed a series of events during
the month of May, was held at the Hilton Hotel in London.
Miss Roma Khasia,
delivered the welcome speech and introduction of the program. In her eloquent
speech, Roma Khasia outlined the importance of Eritrea’s independence and the
need to celebrate the occasion with the friends of Eritrea. She also gave a
brief description on the importance of the Eri-UK Friendship Forum, the need to
take concrete steps to formalize it this year.
The day’s programme
encompassed three important parts and started with the ‘Eyewitness Reflections
of Eritrea’s Friends Visit’. This was highly expected by many the reason being
Eritrea not only has a lot to talk about, there seem to be so many that have a
lot to say about Eritrea in various contexts. The old age cliché of: ‘seeing is
believing’ came to many minds as the first speaker Dr. Sara
Pantuliano, took to the stage.
Dr. Sara
Pantuliano, ODA Senior Researcher and a great friend of Eritrea, and who
had the chance of supporting the Ministry of Education gave an amazing
reflection. Dr Sara referred to Eritrea as her homeland and gave an elaborate
presentation of her involvement in Eritrea National Development.
She visited Eritrea several times with her whole family and the
opportunities she got to visit many places and institutions indicated that she
is very attached to Eritrea and its progression as a viable and sustainable
nation.
One of the pioneers
of the Mining sector in Eritrea Mr.Lester Kemp (London Africa Mining) and Dr.
Tim Williams (Andiamo Mining CEO) gave an interesting insight of Eritrean
mining progress and future promising prospects linking it to the handling of
Eritrean government in creating a bright future for the people of Eritrea.
The Ambassador of the
State of Eritrea to the UK & Ireland H.E. Tesfamichael Gerahtu also gave a
speech, thanking the participants in taking part on the celebration of Eritrean
Independence there by updating the participants on current state of affairs,
which included Eritrea’s Investment opportunities, Economic and social
progress, as well as UNjust Sanctions imposed on Eritrea, and the continued
years illegal occupation of Ethiopia of sovereign Eritrean territories.
The event was
attended by Diplomats, members of various British Institutions, professionals
of various sectors, Investors, and other respected guests along with
Eritrean-British citizens residing in the UK. The participants gave a series of
presentation, which was then followed by traditional Eritrean dinner and
entertainment.
Yared Tesfay
0044-7904-212319
Head of Embassy Media
London United Kingdom
Received on Thu May 30 2013 - 10:35:22 EDT