Daily Press Briefing

Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
(excerpts)

(Paris, January 11, 2006)

[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]

ETHIOPIA/ERITREA

France supports the decision by the United States government to send a mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea to advance the process of demarcating the border between the two countries which is still at an impasse.

France reaffirms its commitment to the Algiers peace agreements, the implementation of which is fundamental for the equilibrium of the Horn of Africa, an important and fragile region.

It advises the two countries to apply immediately the decision of the arbitration commission of April 2002, whose final and binding character may not be challenged, and to resolve their disputes./.

Embassy of France, January 11, 2006