Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Peaceful Solution of the Conflict between Yemen and Eritrea over the Hanish Islands.

November 6, 1998

1. The Government of Japan greatly welcomes the acceptance by Yemen and Eritrea of the ruling by the arbitration court in London on the conflict over the Hanish Islands which had been a pending issue between the two countries, and commends their efforts for a peaceful solution. Japan also pays tribute to the role played for the solution of this issue by France, the arbitration court and all others concerned.
   
   
2. The Government of Japan hopes that the two countries will continue to strive for the safety of navigation in the Red Sea and that the present agreement will serve as an opportunity to bring about a peaceful solution of all border disputes in this region.