| answer text |
<p>The Government is broadly supportive of the EU’s efforts to engage with Eritrea,
and to create opportunities for greater engagement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, including
through increasing development assistance where possible. We share concerns about
human rights, particularly regarding Eritrea’s use of national service. However, it
is clear that key elements of development cooperation in Eritrea, including recent
cooperation on road building, will not be taken forward without the use of national
service labour. We have therefore pressed the EU for enhanced efforts to ensure safeguards
are in place. The EU has confirmed that the project implementer will monitor and assess
whether workers are receiving an appropriate salary, and that basic health and safety
standards are applied. Alongside those immediate measures, we, and the EU, will continue
to encourage reform of the Eritrean national service system.</p><p> </p><p>Around
15% of all EU development funds, including those used for projects in Eritrea, are
attributable to UK ODA. We are also providing a €3m direct contribution to the Horn
of Africa programmes of the EU Trust Fund for Africa, whose programming includes the
EU’s €20m road building project in Eritrea.</p>
|
|
