Eritrea - Ethiopia Boundary Commission

[Guest Jacob]

The United Nations Security Council this evening urged both Ethiopia and Eritrea to take concrete steps to implement the decision of the Boundary Commission formed to delineate their disputed border, immediately and without preconditions.

 

Through a statement read out by Rezian Ishar Jenie of Indonesia, which holds the Council presidency for November, the 15-member body urged both countries to take into account commitments made at the 6-7 September meeting of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC), regarding the Temporary Security Zone.

 

The Council further called upon the parties to refrain from using force, to normalize their relations, to promote stability between them and to lay the foundations for sustainable peace in the region. The Council commends the continuing operations of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

 

Presidential Statement

 

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/2007/43, reads as follows:

 

“The Security Council stresses the importance of the commitment of both Ethiopia and Eritrea to lay the foundation for sustainable peace in the region and, aware of the responsibilities of the United Nations under the Algiers Agreements, remains determined to encourage and assist both countries in attaining this objective.

 

“The Security Council underscores the acceptance without preconditions by both Ethiopia and Eritrea of the final and binding delimitation decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC).

 

“The Security Council urges the parties to take concrete steps to implement immediately and without preconditions the delimitation decision of the EEBC, taking into account the parties’ commitments regarding the Temporary Security Zone, as expressed at the EEBC meeting of 6-7 September 2007, and to comply fully with the Algiers Agreements and prior Security Council resolutions and statements of its President, including on the issue of demarcation.

 

“The Security Council calls upon the parties to refrain from using force and to settle their disagreements by peaceful means, to normalize their relations, to promote stability between them and to lay the foundation for sustainable peace in the region.

 

“The Security Council confirms the parties’ primary responsibility to resolve the border issue and their other differences, and expresses its readiness to endorse the commitments made by both parties with respect to demarcation and normalization.

 

“The Security Council strongly supports the Secretary-General in any efforts to facilitate these processes.

 

“The Security Council commends and fully supports UNMEE’s continuing operations, underscores the importance for the parties to provide UNMEE with the necessary access, assistance, support and protection required for the implementation of its mandate, and welcomes the ongoing efforts by the Secretary-General towards the earliest appointment of a Special Representative.”