Twenty years after the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea began, the tense situation is still unresolved. Concerns remain about the stalemate(1) and its negative impact on the political climate, peace and security, and for its hampering of regional cooperation and exchange.

The Commission recently stated(2) that the appointment of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed brings new hope as he has pledged to work towards democracy, the rule of law and respect for civil liberties, and has vowed to engage with the Eritrean authorities to end the conflict.

Against this background, we would like to ask the VP/HR the following questions:

What actions is the EU taking to support an end to the longstanding conflict between the two countries and to achieve greater exchange and cooperation with the region?

How does the EEAS currently work to support full implementation of the provisions of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's decision, where Ethiopia after 16 years still holds territory contrary to the Boundary Commission's decision?

(1) http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/04/13/declaration-hr-eritrea-ethiopis-boundary-commission/
(2) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2018-001672&language=ENRESPOSTA
24-08-2018

As a witness to the Algiers Peace Agreement alongside Algeria, the African Union, the United Nations and the United States, the EU has been closely following developments in Ethiopia - Eritrea relations and has engaged with both parties to encourage dialogue and consensual solutions. The High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) has notably issued several statements on this issue. On 13 April 2017, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the decision on the border delimitation by the Boundary Commission, the HR/VP reiterated the EU's concerns on the stalemate and encouraged concrete steps towards demarcation and the rebuilding of the relationship(1). The commitment of Prime Minister Abiy to engage constructively with Eritrea, as well as the positive response by President Isaias, were also welcomed by the HR/VP in a statement from 21 June 2018(2).

On 9 July 2018, the HR/VP issued a statement on the signature of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship(3), which represents a historic and courageous move by both leaders. The HR/VP also recalled the EU's readiness to provide support to help consolidate bilateral relations and, more broadly, to enhance regional cooperation. The EU stands ready to consider providing support to the implementation of the Boundary Commission's decision on the border delimitation, in coordination with the other witnesses to the Algiers Agreement, and as requested by Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The EU will continue to engage with both countries with the aim of promoting reconciliation and building up strong bilateral relations, as well as stimulating and supporting regional integration in the Horn of Africa.

(1) https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/eritrea/24671/declaration-high-representative-f-mogherini-border-delimitation-eritrea-ethiopia-boundary_en
(2) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/47064/statement-hrvp-mogherini-relations-between-eritrea-and-ethiopia_en
(3) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/48167/statement-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-signature-joint-declaration_en