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Eritreans mark National Day on Thursday

DUBAI - A large number of Eritreans living in the UAE and officials from the Consulate-General of Eritrea in Dubai marked the 17th anniversary of their country's National Day on Thursday.

Among those present at the function were Eritrea's Minister for Land, Water and Environment Weldmicael Gebrenariam, Eritrean Consul-General Yohannes Teccemmichael, and members of the diplmatic corps of various Arab and African countries in Dubai. Emirati musicians, including Eial Nasser, also participated in the celebration to project UAE-Eritrean cultural relations.

A cultural performance by a well-known Eritrean musical troupe was the highlight of the evening, which also featured poetry recitation and patriotic songs.

Eritrean minister Gebrenariam briefed the members of the community on the current political and economic situation in the country and urged them to contribute to the process of rapid development in the country.

"This is the day Eritrean freedom-fighters relished the taste of independence after 30 years of war and devastation," Consul-General Teccemmichael said.

He commended the Eritrean people's unparalleled determination to get a sovereign Eritrea and paid all those who had made sacrifices to make the dreams come true.

Speaking to Khaleej Times Teccemmichael said that after the independence of Eritrea in 1991, the government established its embassies and consulates in many Arab countries, particularly those who supported the resistance against Ethiopia.

The UAE was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Eritrea with the opening of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1993 and the consulate in Dubai in 2001.

There are about 3,000 to 4,000 Eritreans in the UAE, 60 per cent of whom are women who work primarily as baby-sitters.

"There was a need among the members of the community to interact and practice their culture and traditions, the reason for which they have established an association under the patronage of the consulate," the consul-general said.