“A truly historic moment with memorable watershed events: brotherly embrace of the leaders,” said Yemane G Meskel, Eritrea’s minister of information, on Twitter, adding that Ethiopian Airlines landed in Asmara for the first time in 20 years. Both countries will work to promote close cooperation in political, economic, social, cultural and security areas.”

The declaration was signed Monday during an unprecedented summit between the leaders of the countries in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara. During a state dinner to welcome the Ethiopian delegation Sunday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the two countries have agreed to reopen embassies and ports and allow flight operations to strengthen diplomatic ties between them, Meskel added. The thaw began last month when Abiy said Ethiopia would abide by a 2002 UN-backed ruling, made after a two-year frontier war, and hand back disputed border territory, including the flashpoint town of Badme, to Eritrea.
Leaders from Eritrea and Ethiopia officially declare an end to their countries' 20-year border conflict.