WRITTEN QUESTION E-1916/00

by Guido Podestà (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2000)

Subject: War in Ethiopia and Eritrea

The crisis in Ethiopia, which the Committee on Development and Humanitarian Aid has been faced with in the last few months in attempting to alleviate the food emergency, has recently been exacerbated by the worsening of the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

In an effort to find a way to mediate, the United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution holding the two nations equally responsible for the warfare, which thus does not take into account the differing degrees of involvement of aggressor and victim, in the case in point Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Can the Commission therefore say what the European Union's position is and what initiatives it intends to take:

1. with regard to the search for a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa,

2. with regard to the steps the representative of the European Union's Presidency with responsibility for the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea intends to take to promote an immediate stop to the conflict,

3. with regard to the practical measures the representative of the European Union's Presidency, in tandem with the Presidency of the OAU, plans to carry out at once to sustain the civilian peoples who are victims of the conflict?

4. Can the Commission also report on whether evacuation plans for EU citizens, coordinated between the various Member States, exist?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2000)

Since fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea first broke out in May 1998, the Union has repeatedly urged both countries to cease hostilities on all fronts immediately, to refrain from any further use of violence and to co-operate with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) efforts to mediate a peaceful negotiated solution to the conflict.

The Union therefore welcomed on 14 June 2000 the acceptance by both parties of the proposal for an agreement on the cessation of hostilities, prepared by the OAU and assisted by an envoy from the United States and by the Union Presidency Special representative, Mr. Serri. The European Council of 19 and 20 June 2000 applauded the signing of the agreement on the cessation of hostilities of 18 June 2000 in Algiers.

The Algiers agreement foresees a peaceful resolution of the conflict, a respect for the borders existing at independence, to be determined on the basis of pertinent colonial treaties and reaffirms both countries' acceptance of the OAU framework agreement and its implementation. The countries furthermore commit themselves to an immediate cessation of hostilities starting from the signature of the document, followed by the deployment of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the OAU.

Since the start of the conflict in May 1998, the Commission, through ECHO, has made funding available for humanitarian aid programmes in both countries in favour of conflict affected populations for a total amount of some 15,7 million. Areas of activities are water and sanitation, supplementary feeding, shelter, food, and non-food items. Activities are focussed on displaced people as well as victims of deportation. This includes an amount of 2 million made available by the Commission for rapid action in favour of Eritrean populations forced to flee from the invading Ethiopian troops. Further funds, the amount of which will depend on the needs identified, will be made available after identification of precise needs and implementing partners.

The Commission can report that in both countries evacuation plans for Union citizens have been discussed and prepared. There is no issue of confidentiality as this is common practice and as the contents of the plans are not divulged. These evacuation plans are regularly updated in view of the changing situation. The Presidency, the Commission as well as Member States are well aware of the necessity for close co-ordination in matters of security for Union citizens.