Security Council expects Ethiopia and Eritrea to cooperate on boundary process

Casting an eye towards next week’s meeting of an independent commission on Ethiopia and Eritrea’s common boundary, the Security Council today encouraged both parties to cooperate fully with the demarcation process, which is considered to be a key benchmark on the road to lasting peace between the two Horn of Africa neighbours.

In a statement to the press, the current President of the 15-nation body, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom, said Council members “expect that the 15 July meeting in The Hague between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the Boundary Commission will initiate full and effective cooperation by the parties in order to ensure an expeditious and orderly process.”

Council members also noted that the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission has adopted the Demarcation Directions containing the operational arrangements for the border demarcation; including appropriate support from the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) and its relationship with the Boundary Commission, according to the President.

“Members of the Council intend to take early follow up action to resolution 1398 taking into account any decisions taken in the 15 July meeting at The Hague,” he added, referring to a Council text adopted in March covering the latest developments in Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as the UN’s role in the peace process.