Thursday 25^th November 2004

Council of Ministers Approves Border Initiative

The Council of Ministers yesterday approved a new peace initiative aimed at seeking a resolution to the Ethiopia-Eritrea border dispute.

The Council approved the initiative at their meeting after a detailed evaluation of the current border situation. The Council accepted that, despite its utmost efforts to seek a peaceful and lasting solution to the dispute, it was not possible to bring about sustainable peace between the two countries without accepting, in principle, the flawed decision of the Boundary Commission.

Therefore, the Council accepted the initiative as being consistent with Ethiopia’s principles for establishing sustainable peace and promoting the spirit of good neighbourliness.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi addressed the House of People’s Representatives today, presenting a report on the new initiative. The initiative was then submitted to the House for further discussion and a final decision.

ENDS