UN, EU urge dialogue and reconciliation

The UN Security Council on Tuesday urged Eritrea and Ethiopia to cooperate closely with the United Nations and the Boundary Commission in implementing the latter's ruling on their common border. In a press statement, Council President Ambassador Sergey Lavrov of Russia reiterated that the Council welcomed the decision and "commended the commitment of both countries to accept the outcome as 'final and binding'". The independent Boundary Commission, based in The Hague, on Saturday issued its verdict on border delimitation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, after the two countries fought a bitter two-year war sparked by a border dispute in 1998. Security Council members called on both governments to make further steps to "strengthen the climate of reconciliation" and to address outstanding issues, including the release of prisoners of war and the resumption of direct flights. The members also called on the parties to provide freedom of movement to the UN peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). Members stressed their commitment to contribute to the peace process, and called on the international community to provide the necessary resources to support this process. The Council was briefed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and UNMEE head Legwaila Joseph Legwaila on the mission's role in the border demarcation phase, which includes security and demining support. In Brussels, the European Union also welcomed the Boundary Commission ruling and pledged full support to UNMEE in implementing the decision. In a statement, the EU urged both Eritrea and Ethiopia to safeguard peace on the ground "by fully respecting the Temporary Security Zone and maintaining continued separation of forces". It also called on the two sides to ensure there were no unilateral population or troop movements. "The Boundary Commission decision provides an opportunity for both parties to move forward and take the necessary steps to assist the normalisation of relations," the EU statement added. Pledging to support the peace process, it urged the two sides to intensify their dialogue and ensure "an orderly transfer of territorial control in line with the decision of the Boundary Commission".