Vol. 529 No. 4
121 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the ceasefire agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia; and the funding proposed from Ireland's aid programme to both countries in 2001. [3234/01]
On 12 December 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a comprehensive peace agreement in Algiers bringing an end to their border war. The agreement was the result of intensive negotiations that had taken place under the auspices of the Organisation for African Unity, the United States and the European Union. Under its terms, Ethiopia and Eritrea accept the appointment of an arbitration commission to deal with border demarcation and delimitation and a second commission to deal with compensation issues. Both sides also agree to repatriate all prisoners of war and to investigate the causes of the conflict.
The international community strongly supports the agreement and is very active in monitoring its implementation. The United Nations has authorised the deployment of a 4,200 strong force – UNMEE – to monitor the ceasefire and to assist in ensuring the observance of the security commitments agreed by the parties – Security Council Resolution 1320 of 15 September 2000. It is expected that the full deployment of troops will shortly be completed.
The Government warmly welcomes these positive developments and the progress that has been made since December in implementing some elements of the Algiers Agreement. However, we are concerned that difficulties that have arisen in establishing a temporary security zone – TSZ – between the two countries could potentially delay UNMEE from fully carrying out its mandate. The Secretary General's special representative, Joseph Legwaila, has presented compromise proposals to both countries on the limits of the TSZ and it is hoped that they will shortly be agreed. It is essential that the parties rapidly resolve this matter and proceed to take other steps envisioned in the Algiers Agreement, including the complete redeployment of troops, the establishment of a direct air corridor between Addis Ababa and Asmara and the conclusion of status of forces agreements.
The agreement offers the real prospect of a lasting peace to the war weary peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Lasting peace and stability will enable both governments to devote their full attention to addressing the enormous development needs facing their societies. I urge all political leaders to continue to show the courage necessary to ensure that the opportunities created by the agreement are built upon.
Ireland recently contributed $75,000 to the OAU liaison mission to the United Nations mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has bilateral aid programmes in six priority countries in Africa. Ethiopia is one such country; Eritrea is not. The country programme budget allocated for Ethiopia in 2001 is £20 million. As has been the case in previous years both countries stand to benefit from Irish emergency and humanitarian assistance, if deemed necessary, and for funding under the NGO cofinancing scheme. As the NGO cofinancing scheme committee has met just once in 2001 only a small number of grant applications have been approved – three from Ethiopia, £106,656 in total, and one from Eritrea, £73,084. We will remain fully supportive of the peace process and will continue to assist wherever practicable.
