Security Council urges Ethiopia, Eritrea to cooperate with border demarcation

The United Nations Security Council today welcomed Ethiopia's and Eritrea's acceptance as final and binding an agreement on the delimitation of the border between the two countries, and urged them to cooperation fully with the commission responsible for demarking the boundary.

In a statement read out by the President of the Security Council during a formal meeting, Ambassador Inocencio F. Arias of Spain said the 15-member body welcomed the latest report by Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the activities of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

Yesterday, Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guéhenno presented the report to the Council, in which Mr. Annan says in general, both the parties cooperate well with UNMEE and respect the integrity of the Temporary Security Zone. He stresses, however, that lasting peace requires the expeditious demarcation of the border and a relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea that enables them to address problems through peaceful discourse.

Today's statement by the Council expressed its concern at delays in the demarcation process so far, saying this is contrary to the wish for lasting peace expressed in the 2000 Algiers Agreement. It called upon the two countries to pursue, within the provisions of that accord, any matters that might arise in connection with the implementation.

The Council also reiterated its serious concern regarding outstanding issues, in particular restrictions on the freedom of movement of remaining UNMEE personnel and the continuing absence of a direct high-altitude flight route for the mission's aircraft between the two countries' capitals, Asmara and Addis Ababa, resulting in additional costs to the Mission.

Further, it called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to normalize their relationship through political dialogue, including confidence-building measures, such as holding alternating meetings of the Military Coordination Commission in each other's capitals.

Video of Security Council meeting