Brussels, 22/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The EU will provide no funding for new development projects in Ethiopia and Eritrea as long as the armed conflict continues between the two ACP countries, which have ties with the European Union via the Lomé Convention. The European Commission took this decision following consultation of the Member States; it does not call into question the implementation of projects approved prior to the outbreak of the conflict two years ago. Since that time, the Commission has been regularly re-examining its cooperation with the two warring countries, leading to tougher conditions for the disbursement of funds for structural adjustment support. Ethiopia has not received any budgetary support from the Commission since January 1999.