Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, leading Eritrea's delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, met UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday 23 September for wide-ranging talks on regional and global affairs.

The minister conveyed the Eritrean government's appreciation for the Secretary-General's contribution to the organisation's constructive engagement with Eritrea.

Recalling sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes as the founding pillars of the UN Charter, Mr Osman set out Eritrea's position on the unity and stability of Sudan.

On the situation surrounding Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb security, he underlined Eritrea's support for safe maritime passage and international cooperation that respects the sovereignty and legitimate interests of the Red Sea littoral states.

The meeting also covered what Eritrea characterised as destabilising actions by the Prosperity Party towards its neighbours, in violation of the UN Charter and international law.

Eritrea has been elected one of the vice-presidents of the 81st session of the General Assembly. Eritrea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam, chaired the opening session on 8 September.

The minister is also holding diplomatic meetings on the margins of the assembly. In talks with Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, the two discussed bilateral matters and regional and global issues of shared concern.