ABU DHABI — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki were awarded medals by the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates.

According to Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Order of Zayed – UAE’s highest award, was conferred on both leaders “in recognition of their work for peace between the two nations.”

The two leaders arrived in the UAE on Tuesday before entering a tripartite summit in Abu Dhabi. Eritrean Information Minister said in a tweet that: “The consultations underway underpin commitment of the parties for broader & robust regional cooperation and coordination.”

The crown prince affirmed that the UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, supports every effort aimed at achieving peace, security and stability across the world.

Such efforts are vital to achieving comprehensive and sustainable development for all peoples globally, he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Ahmad and the President Afwerki were accorded a warm welcome at the Presidential Palace by Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed.

A number of ministers from the UAE and other top government officials were present on the occasion along with the ambassadors of various countries.

Eritrea and Ethiopia were at war for almost twenty years before they established diplomatic relations earlier this month. The UAE played a significant role in bringing the two warring nations together. — Agencies