§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the(a) Eritrean and (b) Ethiopian Governments observe the rulings of the Independent Boundary Commission; and what action it is taking where these rulings are ignored. [163367]
§ Mr. MullinThe UK, and other members of the Security Council, will continue to press Ethiopia to accept the Boundary Commission decision, which is final and binding, and begin a comprehensive political dialogue on all of the issues separating them. We have welcomed the appointment of the UN Special Envoy, Lloyd Axworthy, and are urging both parties to work with him on resolving their differences.
§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent involvement the UK Government has had in the dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia. [163403]
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§ Mr. MullinI most recently discussed the border dispute with the Eritrean ambassador, together with a visiting representative of the Eritrean Government, on 18 March 2004 I also discussed the border with Eritrean President Isaias in Asmara on 15 January 2004 and with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles in Addis Ababa on 16 January 2004. On each of these occasions I reiterated to the parties that the Boundary Commission's decision is final and binding and urged them to engage in political dialogue on all of the issues separating them.