HC Deb 27 January 2004 vol 417 cc289-90W
John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Ethiopia and Eritrea. [150112]

Mr. Mullin

I visited Ethiopia and Eritrea from 13 to 19 January. My programme included meetings with President Isaias of Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia. We discussed a range of issues, including the border dispute between the two countries. I stressed the importance of avoiding any return to war, implementing the Boundary Commission decision, and building confidence between the two parties by the establishment of a dialogue.