Ban convenes meeting to resolve border row between Gabon, Equatorial Guinea
11 June 2008 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today opened a high-level meeting between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to launch the
next phase of the mediation process aimed at resolving the border dispute between the African neighbours.
Today's meeting, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, is dedicated to the adoption of a formal framework for
the mediation process, according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.
"In his remarks, the Secretary-General commended both Parties for their continued commitment to finding a peaceful
settlement to their dispute and assured them of the United Nations' support and of his personal engagement to assist
them in this process," the statement noted.
The maritime dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon centres on an island which has oil resources. In 2004 both
countries agreed to exploit the area jointly and to continue to work on the border problem.
ENDS