§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to encourage a settlement of the border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea and a cessation of the deportations between the two countries; and if he will make a statement. [89861]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe have made frequent and regular representations to the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea, at all levels, both bilaterally and through the European Union. Our message has been clear: both sides must stop fighting immediately and implement the OAU Framework peace proposals.
We have urged both sides to respect the rights of civilian populations. The Ethiopian Government have assured us that their policy of expulsion of Eritreans has now stopped. The Eritrean Government maintain that the Ethiopians leaving Eritrea have done so voluntarily. I discussed the situation with OAU Secretary-General Salim Salim on 28 May and underlined our continued support for the OAU Framework peace proposals.