Last updated in October 2009
Germany took in a large number of Eritrean refugees (approximately 25,000) during the war of independence from Ethiopia (1961-1991). These refugees have maintained close contacts with their home country up to the present day.
Despite the great potential for closer relations between Germany and Eritrea, this potential has not been realized to any extent since the end of the 1998-2000 Ethiopian-Eritrean border war. Trade is on the decline, there is hardly any investment or tourism and only sporadic cultural exchange, and development cooperation has been suspended. This is due in part to the fact that Eritrea expects more support from Germany for its stance on the border conflict with Ethiopia. Recently, Eritrea has given clear indications that it is seeking to normalize and step up relations with Germany.
A number of German non-governmental organizations, such as the Hammer Forum, Eritrea Hilfswerk, Terra Tech and the World University Service (WUS), and the German Olympic Sports Confederation are active in Eritrea. The resumption of bilateral development cooperation activities is currently under consideration.Deutsche Lufthansa has operated flights to Asmara several times a week without interruption since 1993.
