§ Mr. RoyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the present hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea. [122922]
§ Mr. HainIn its resolution 1298(2000) adopted on 17 May, the United Nations Security Council demanded that Ethiopia and Eritrea cease all military action, withdraw military forces, and reconvene proximity talks under the auspices of the Organisation of African Unity. The Security Council imposed, in relation to those two States, a mandatory arms embargo and a ban on the provision of related technical assistance or training.
The embargo is established for twelve months. At the end of this period the Security Council will decide whether the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea have complied with its demands and, accordingly, whether to extend the embargo for a further period. The embargo will be terminated immediately if the Secretary-General reports that a peaceful definitive settlement has been concluded.
The United Kingdom co-sponsored this resolution, which was adopted in response to the further outbreak of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Security Council has noted with concern the serious humanitarian implications of the fighting for the civilian population.
The European Union imposed an arms embargo against Ethiopia and Eritrea on 15 March 1999 in response to a United Kingdom proposal, following the adoption on 10 February 1999 of UN Security Council resolution 1227, which urged all States to end all sales of arms and munitions to both countries.