Secretary-General, Presidents of Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Issue Joint

 

Communiqué Following Trilateral High-level Meeting at Headquarters

 

(Delayed in Transmission.)

Following is the joint communiqué issued at the end of the trilateral High-Level Meeting of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of Equatorial Guinea and the President of Gabon at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 25 February:

The President of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and the President of Gabon, His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba, met on 24 and 25 February 2011 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, at the invitation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, with a view to achieving decisive progress on the mediation process between the two countries.  This was the first time the two Heads of State met to discuss the issue specifically.

The meeting took place in an open, cordial and constructive climate.  The two Heads of State reaffirmed their shared determination to settle the dispute between their two countries and, in a climate of mutual trust and respect, to pursue the development of cooperation consistent with the fraternal ties between the peoples of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and with the common interests of both States.  In so doing, they intend to contribute to the revitalizationof the region.

Alongside the Secretary-General and his Special Adviser and Mediator in the dispute, Nicolas Michel, the two Heads of State examined the progress made by the mediation since 2008.  They noted with satisfaction the important points on which agreement had been reached and discussed the issues still pending.

The two Heads of State reiterated their commitment to submitting their dispute to the International Court of Justice in accordance with the Framework Document on the mediation signed on 19 January 2009.  They agreed to make every effort to conclude the mediation as soon as possible.

The Secretary-General reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to assisting Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, in accordance with their wishes, in their efforts to reach an amicable solution to the dispute.

Mr. Nguema and Mr. Bongo expressed their gratitude to the Secretary-General for his support and good offices.

It was agreed that the mediation will continue by a meeting of the delegations in Geneva, on 29 and 30 March 2011, subject to any other arrangement agreed by the parties, as proposed by the Secretary-General.

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For information media • not an official record