Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 1 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he is holding with the Ethiopian government about the border dispute with Eritrea; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he is holding with the Ethiopian Government about the border dispute with Eritrea; and if he will make a statement. [141947] Hilary Benn: Her Majesty's Government keep in touch with the Governments of both Ethiopia and Eritrea at all levels. The Prime Minister recently wrote to both the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the President of Eritrea indicating that the Boundary Commission's decisions are final and binding and that the two parties should engage in dialogue. I met the Eritrean Foreign Minister when he visited London recently, during which we discussed the peace process. He also met my hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for Africa. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Minister has recently met with both the Ethiopian and Eritrean Ambassadors. We also keep in close touch with development in the peace process through our Ambassadors in Addis Ababa and Asmara.

Secondary information