Recall of EU envoys reflects "displeasure"

The Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) are leaving the Eritrean capital Asmara following a decision by the EU to recall its ambassadors, AFP reported on Wednesday. The EU recalled all its envoys in response to Eritrea's expulsion last week of Italian Ambassador Antonio Bandini. AFP The German ambassador has already left, while the French envoy was to leave on Wednesday, to be followed by the Dutch and Danish representatives, said AFP. The French Ambassador, Louis le Vert, is quoted by AFP as saying that "recalling an ambassador for consultations is the traditional way for a government to show displeasure. It is unusual, though, for EU countries to do this jointly." The decision to recall the ambassadors was taken by all 15 EU member states at a meeting held in Luxembourg on Monday.