I am honoured to join the EU Delegation to Eritrea to lead a highly professional team with the objective of promoting EU-Eritrea relations and promoting and protecting EU interest and values in coordination with EU Member States. EU's commitment to Eritrea's stability, prosperity and democracy is long-term, and so is its determination to promote the region's closer cooperation and integration. 

This commitment is based on EU's clearly identified strategic interests in the region related, among others, to fostering cooperation on issues of common interest, such as the promotion of peace and security and regional integration, enhancing economic cooperation, and the promotion and protection of human rights. These are interests that are here to stay and provide a solid foundation for continuous dialogue and future engagements. EU's efforts in Eritrea are aimed at contributing to the country's social and economic development, they follow local needs and strive to ensuring local ownership and sustainability. 

Gianluca Grippa