The Secretary-General met today with H. E. Mr. Osman Mohammed Saleh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea.

The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the enhanced collaboration between the State of Eritrea and the United Nations. The Minister for Foreign Affairs affirmed Eritrea’s readiness to expand areas of cooperation.

The Secretary-General welcomed Eritrea’s cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process. He urged further cooperation with other human rights mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea.

The Secretary-General and the Minister for Foreign Affairs shared their deep concerns about human trafficking of Eritrean migrants. They also discussed the issue of sanctions imposed on the country and agreed on the importance on improving relations among the countries in the Horn of Africa region.

The Secretary-General encouraged Eritrea’s constructive engagement on the Post-2015 development agenda and global climate change efforts.