HC Deb 17 December 2003 vol 415 c974W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with his counterparts in the(a) United Nations, (b) European Union and (c) United States Administration with regard to the resolution of the border conflict within Ethiopia and Eritrea. [142639]

Mr. Mullin

[holding answer 16 December 2003]: We are in regular contact with the United Nations, the European Union and the US Administration and are working closely with all three on resolving the border issue.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the action that has to be taken with regard to the resolution of the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea over their border. [142640]

Mr. Mullin

[holding answer 16 December 2003]: The UK and other members of the international community will continue to take every opportunity to emphasise to both parties that the Boundary Commission's decision is final and binding and that dialogue is essential for the normalisation of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. I hope to visit Ethiopia and Eritrea in January to continue to press this message.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the UN Border Commission in The Hague was acting within its remit in granting the border town of Badme to the Eritrean Government. [142641]

Mr. Mullin

[holding answer 16 December 2003]: We are not aware of any evidence suggesting that the Boundary Commission exceeded its remit.

Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. [144328]

Mr. Mullin

There has been only very limited contact between the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea since 1998. We believe that dialogue between the two is essential. We are actively encouraging this, to supplement the final and binding decisions of the Boundary Commission which was established as part of the Algiers Agreement in December 2000.