ADDIS ABABA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia will not resort to war with Eritrea in its pursuit of access to a seaport, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday.
Responding to questions from members of the House of Peoples' Representatives, the lower house of Ethiopia's parliament, Abiy said the Ethiopian government is working to gain maritime access through peaceful means, asserting that the country is seeking dialogue with neighbors to achieve its goal.
"Our desire is to negotiate based on the principle of give and take," Abiy told the members of parliament, warning that avoiding negotiations could have long-term consequences.
Abiy said Ethiopia's desire to access the Red Sea will not drag the country to confrontations with neighbors, but it can be realized through cooperation and mutual benefits.
Military conflict with Eritrea is not an option, and the Ethiopian government believes in negotiations, he added. ■
