HC Deb 20 January 2004 vol 416 cc1141-2W
John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the government of Ethiopia regarding acceptance of the Independent Boundary Commission's proposed boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea; and if he will make a statement. [147823]

Hilary Benn

Her Majesty's Government keep in touch with the Governments of both Ethiopia and Eritrea at all levels. Towards the end of last year the Prime Minister wrote to both the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the President of Eritrea indicating that the Boundary Commission's decisions are final and binding and that the two parties should engage in dialogue.

I met the Ethiopian ambassador last month, during which we discussed the Peace Process. I also discussed the matter with the Eritrean Foreign Minister during his visit to London at the beginning of December.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) has had extensive discussions on the Boundary Commission's report including meetings with the President of Eritrea and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia during his recent visit to the two countries.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much development aid has been provided to Ethiopia in each of the last three years. [148278]

Hilary Benn

The total net Official Development Assistance (oda) to Ethiopia over the last three years for which figures are available was as follows. These and all other figures include both development and humanitarian assistance.

US$ million
2000 693.00
2001 1,157.70
2002 1,306.70

DFID bilateral expenditure in Ethiopia over the same period was:

£ million
2000 7.2
2001 18.9
2002 27.6
EC total net oda was: 2000: £45.6 million of which DFID's imputed multilateral share was £8.4 million. 2001: £69.4 million of which DFID's imputed multilateral share was £11.5 million. 2002: Figures not yet available.