EU concerned at build-up on Ethiopia-Eritrea border

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 14 (Reuters) – The European Union expressed concern on Monday over what is said was a military build-up on both sides of the disputed Ethiopia-Eritrea border, where the neighbours clashed in a 1998-2000 war.

The bloc urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to implement the decision of a Hague-based boundary commission, tasked with laying out a new frontier under the terms of a peace deal signed by the two Horn of Africa countries to end the conflict.

“The EU is particularly concerned about the recent military build-up on both sides of the border and urges both sides to refrain from any action that could lead to a resumption of hostilities,” said Rob Vermass, the Netherlands ambassador to Ethiopia, representing the EU.

“Sustainable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea is fundamental for national development and for the enhancement of peace and security in the region, ” he said at a meeting of officials reviewing Ethiopia’s progress in fighting poverty.

The ambassador reiterated the EU’s “firm commitment,” to assist Ethiopia and Eritrea in finding a way forward to implementing the decision of the boundary commission.

“For EU member states and the European Commission, political and governance considerations are of key importance and often directly influence their decision on their development support for Ethiopia”, he added.

Eritrea’s government insists that Ethiopia accept in full a 2002 ruling by the commission set up under a peace treaty both countries signed in Algiers in 2000.

Under the treaty both countries agreed in advance to be bound by the ruling of the commission.

When the commission issued its findings in 2002, Eritrea quickly accepted its decision, which said the prized town of Badme lay in Eritrea, not in Ethiopia which currently holds it.

Ethiopia initially rejected the decision but last November finally accepted the ruling in principle. But, it wanted dialogue with Asmara on how to implement the ruling in the estimated 15 percent of the border that is contentious.

Diplomats from major powers say reopening negotiations on the border would go against the promise both countries made to be bound by the ruling. The European Union in December echoed Eritrea’s call for Ethiopia to respect the ruling in full.