Brussels, 23/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 17 May, the Portuguese Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU regarding the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea
"The EU condemns and deeply deplores the resumption of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the continuation of a conflict which endangers the security and development of the region, particularly in view of the food crisis which is bound to worsen as a result of the renewed fighting. The EU welcomes and supports Resolution 1297 adopted by the United Nations Security Council. The EU earnestly appeals to both sides to put an immediate end to the fighting and to resume peace negotiations under the aegis of the OAU without any prior conditions, in order to reach agreement on the technical arrangements for the implementation of the framework agreement and the modalities accepted by both sides. The EU confirms its full support for the peace efforts of the OAU and its willingness to assist with the implementation of the peace agreement that may be reached within this pan-African framework.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the EU, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the EEA align themselves with this declaration."