SECRETARY-GENERAL REGRETS DECISION THAT LED TO TERMINATION

 

OF UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General notes that the Security Council today unanimously adopted resolution 1827 (2008), which terminates the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) as of 31 July.   The Council has taken this decision after both parties rejected options for a possible follow-on presence put before them by the Secretary-General at the request of the Security Council.

The Secretary-General regrets this decision by the parties, but welcomes the decision of the Council to continue to remain actively seized of the matter.  He also expresses hope that the parties would be able to break the current stalemate and create conditions necessary for the normalization of their relations, which is key to peace and stability in the region.  The Secretary-General reaffirms that his offer of good offices remains available to the parties to help them implement the Algiers Agreements.

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For information media • not an official record