Eritrea and Ethiopia

HL Deb 09 February 2004 vol 656 cc126-7WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the result of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Chris Mullin MP, to the Horn of Africa; and what response was made by Eritrea and Ethiopia respectively to his plea that the independent Border Commission's decision on the boundary between the two states should be accepted. [HL981]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Chris Mullin) visited Eritrea and Ethiopia from 13 to 19 January. He met President Isaias of Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia. They discussed a range of issues, including the border dispute between the two countries. The Minister reiterated to both parties that the decision of the Boundary Commission is final and binding. Neither party contested this, but the Ethiopian Government have some reservations about the implementation of the decision.