The respective European Union (EU) and U.S. Special Envoys for the Horn of Africa, H.E. Annette Weber and H.E. Mike Hammer traveled on their first joint mission to Mekelle, Tigray, to encourage the launch of talks between the Federal Government of Ethiopia (FGoE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) under African Union auspices. The Envoys welcomed the public commitment by both parties to engage in talks and expressed their readiness to support African-led mediation.