The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said in a statement on the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) that the South African government views the introduction of Eritrean Airlines' direct flights as crucial to the advancement of African Agenda and sustainable development, "which is a strategic objective of South Africa's foreign policy for a progressive Africa and a better world."
The statement went on to say that regular flights from Eritrea will further help strengthen economic, political, and social relations between the two countries. Eritrea, a former Ethiopian province and Italian colony which gained independence in 1993, is still trying to rebuild its infrastructure and grow the economy after years of internal strife and instability. Eritrea GDP's, the GCIS says, is showing signs of growth at an estimated 17% in 2011. Eritrea is also one of the few African states that are on track towards meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals in child mortality and water conservation.
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