Security Council members call on Ethiopia, Eritrea to be more flexible in peace process

Security Council members today called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to resolve all outstanding issues between them, asking the two neighbours to use a more flexible approach to the peace process with a view towards strengthening the significant progress made so far and improving their relations.

The current Council President, Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica, said in a press statement that the 15-member body urged the parties "to contribute to the further implementation of the Algiers Agreements in a practical and constructive manner and to exercise restraint in their public statements."

The members also reiterated their full support and confidence in the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and noted the Mission's intention to continue monitoring the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) and adjacent areas to ensure the parties' compliance with the Algiers Agreements, the Council President said.

"In this regard," she said, "members of the Council noted with particular concern that the monitoring of the 15-kilometre adjacent area north of the TSZ continued to be restricted."

Ambassador Durrant's statement came after the Council held separate private meetings this morning with Foreign Minister Ali Said Abdellah of Eritrea and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin.