The EU welcomes the agreement between President Taylor of Liberia and President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone in Abuja on 2 July, 1998, particularly with respect to the decisions taken in view of strongly condemning the continuing rebel activities in Sierra Leone, of controling the activities and movements of demobilized former combatants and of calling upon their citizens not to be involved in destabilizing actions against the other state.

The EU strongly believes that this agreement should be a positive step in the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone, and expresses the hope that it will similarly act as a positive step in stopping the cross border movement of arms and ammunition.

Considering the extremely difficult situation prevailing on ground, the EU stresses the need for Liberia to control properly its border and to facilitate the movement of aid to the refugees.