France invites Ethiopia, Eritrea to dialogue

PARIS, France, Nov 27, 2004 (PANA) — France has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to open “in-depth discussions” leading to a peaceful settlement of their border dispute, the French foreign ministry said Saturday here.

Addressing a press briefing, Anne-Cecile di Borgoo, the French foreign office deputy spokeswoman, said that the expected direct dialogue aimed at resolving the border dispute that dragged Asmara and Addis Ababa into a two-year war could be mediated by the UN in the French capital.

“In-depth discussions based on compliance with the decision of the border arbitration commission will hopefully kick off the delimitation process of the border between the two countries,” she said.

Di Borgoo also said that France took great interest in a decision on 25 November by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to accept the arbitration commission’s decision on the delimitation of the border.

“The announcement was a positive move towards the reopening of the stalemated peace process, which is essential to the stability of the Horn of Africa,” the spokesperson added.

After much hesitation, Addis Ababa said this week that it had accepted, in principle, a decision on the border dispute with Eritrea.