Brussels, 14/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Portuguese Council Presidency has released the following statement on behalf of the EU.
"The European Union welcomes the outcome of the proximity talks for the solution of the Ethiopia-Eritrean conflict held in Algiers under the Chairmanship of Algeria, the current Chair of the OAU, in the last two weeks, with the participation of the EU Presidency's special representative, Sen. Rino Serri, in the framework of the OAU peace initiative.
The Union is looking forward to the signature by the two governments in the shortest possible time of the agreement on cessation of hostilities submitted by the OAU with the support of its partners - the European Union and the United States of America - and appeals to the parties to stop immediately all acts of war and to continue negotiations for a lasting peace on the basis of the OAU framework agreement and the modalities for its implementation. The Union confirms its commitment to support the implementation of the OAU peace settlement in co-ordination with the UN and other interested parties, and in particular to the deployment of the peace-keeping mission, the delimitation and demarcation of the common border, mine clearance and efforts to support refugees and displaced persons."