RESOLUTION(1)

on the resumption of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea

The ACP-EU Joint Assembly,

- meeting in Strasbourg (France) from 29 March to 1 April 1999,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia,

A. highly concerned at the resumption of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea after seven months of relative calm, and recalling that the war first broke out in May 1998,

B. whereas this conflict has caused tens of thousands of people to become refugees or to be evacuated and has inflicted terrible suffering on the civilian populations of both countries,

C. regretting the fact that the efforts made by the international community in general and by the OAU in particular with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the disputes between the two countries have not yet proved successful,

D. whereas the OAU has proposed a framework agreement designed to bring the conflict to an end, an agreement which has been accepted by the Ethiopian Government and was recently signed by the Eritrean Government,

E. firmly believing that maximum commitment from the entire international community is needed in order to help re-establish a peace process between the two countries,

F. concerned that, in the absence of a peaceful solution, the conflict could destabilise the entire region and lead to an even more serious human tragedy,

G. aware of the fact that, above and beyond the settlement of the border issue, only a clear definition of the rules governing the political and economic relations between the two countries can bring about a lasting peace on the basis of respect for the legitimate interests of both countries,

1. Firmly condemns the resumption and continuation of hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia;

2. Calls on Ethiopia and Eritrea to commit themselves to the peaceful resolution of the border conflict, by agreeing to an immediate cessation of hostilities, in accordance with the rapid implementation of the OAU framework agreement (new article);

3. Deeply regrets the extensive loss of human life since the start of the hostilities between the two countries;

4. Calls on the Council and the EU Member States to be ready to play a part in implementing the OAU's proposal, including the dispatch of a neutral international monitoring force which should be deployed along the border between the two countries;

5. Calls on all the political forces and all the components of civil society in Ethiopia and Eritrea to do all they can to put pressure on their respective governments with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict;

6. Deplores the fact that the current conflict has caused tens of thousands of people to become refugees or to be evacuated and calls for them to be able to return to their place of origin as soon as possible;

7. Calls on the Commission to increase the amount of humanitarian and emergency assistance provided to refugees, deportees and evacuees in the region;

8. Instructs its Co-Presidents to forward this resolution to the ACP-EU Council, the Commission, the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea and the OAU.

(1) Adopted by the ACP-EU Joint Assembly on 1 April 1999 in Strasbourg (France).