Brussels, 02/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Swedish Presidency issued the following declaration: "The European Union, while acknowledging the important progress registered so far in the implementation of the peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, expresses its concern about the current difficulties, which have led to a delay in the establishment of a Temporary Security Zone (TSZ). The European Union supports the activities of the UN Secretary General Special Representative and of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) aimed at a rapid establishment of the TSZ, in accordance with the Algiers agreements. The EU calls upon the parties to continue to closely cooperate with UNMEE in order to enable it to fulfil its mandate, and to extend the necessary freedom of movement for the execution of its tasks.
The EU welcomes the participation of both parties in the meetings of the Boundary Commission and the Claims Commission in The Hague and trusts that the work of both committees will contribute to the conclusion of a comprehensive and final peace settlement.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration".