Ethiopia keeps on resolving Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully

Eritrean soldiers march during the country's Independence
Day in Asmara, One of Africa's newest and smallest nations
boasts one of the continent's largest armies in the area

06 August, 2008

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - A senior Foreign Affairs Ministry official said dialogue is the only option to resolve Ethio-Eritrea border dispute peacefully.

In an exclusive interview with ENA on Thursday, Ministry Spokesman, Wahade Belay said Ethiopia still believes in its stand that “Differences can be resolved through dialogue”.

Though it is time-consuming, the government will keep on exerting efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully. War is not an option to Ethiopia, he said.

The door is open on the Ethiopian part if there is a mediator keen to facilitate continuation of dialogue between the countries.

Asked about Eritrean government view on the issue, Wahade said though the view of the Eritrean government’s leaders is not encouraging at present, the Ethiopia will keep on intensifying efforts for peaceful solutions.

Ethiopia is not only concerned about demarcation of the border, but it also believes that holding dialogue on political, economical, people to people relations, on ways using port should come as first option.

He said Eritrean government had been impeding activities of UNMEE through various means.

Ethiopia has repeatedly requested Security Council of the UN to take measures on Eritrea for violation of Algiers agreement, by driving away UNMEE from the temporary security zone.

The UN should take serious measure on countries like Eritrea to avoid risk of ensuring peace. Appeasing government of Eritrea is not a good approach, he noted.

The UN Security Council has stand that the countries should address the dispute peacefully.