Summary: March 26, 2002: Statement by H.E. Mr. Inocencio F. Arias, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations on behalf of the European Union, at the meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afganistan (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia; the associated countries Malta and Turkey; and the EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area Iceland and Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
The past months have witnessed very important events on the path towards the establishment of peace and stability through reconciliation and a representative government in Afghanistan as well as in eliminating the use of Afghan territory by terrorists and curbing narcotics production and trafficking.
Firstly, the agreement reached by the Afghan parties in Bonn on December 5 2001, which constitutes the basic road map for the political future of Afghanistan. Secondly, the creation and full deployment of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF), to which EU members are currently the major contributors. Last, though not least, the Tokyo International Conference on reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan, co-chaired by the European Union.
In spite of these very positive events, enormous challenges remain before the Afghan people can regain a measure of normalcy. To name but a few, we can mention the timely and full implementation of the Bonn Agreement, the lack of security in wide areas of the country, the dire humanitarian situation still afflicting most of the country, the dismal state of health and education, the situation of women and children, and the very serious and extensive risk derived from landmines. The European
Union is committed to helping the Afghan people to surmount these problems and is ready to carry its share in cooperation with neighbouring countries and the rest of the International Community.
The European Union has played and continues to play a very important role in the current Afghan process. Given that the United Nations has been entrusted with the central coordinating role for the transition process in Afghanistan, the EU seeks to support and promote the UN-led process and the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. The EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Klaus Peter Klaiber, is key to the coordination of EU
efforts.
Mr. President,
The EU commends the SG for the excellent report that was recently published which summarises the key developments in Afghanistan since the signing of the Bonn Agreement and proposes a structure for a UN presence. We appreciate the effort carried out during the last months by the UN system under the guidance of the Special Representative in order to bring together their efforts and capacities so as to create a really integrated UN Mission in Afghanistan. The EU agrees with the proposed mandate
and basic operating principles for UNAMA which call for an integrated structure under the authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, that will support the implementation of the Bonn Agreement by the Afghans themselves with the assistance of the International Community. The proposed overall structure seems to be well thought and aims at two main goals: building a strongly coordinated UN presence and avoiding dependecy on international staff, so as to encourage development
of domestic capacities. However, to comply with the concept of a "light international footprint" UNAMA structures should take into account already existing initiatives in order to avoid duplication of work. The EU welcomes the proposed structure to lead sectoral agencies for the implementation of humanitarian and reconstruction activities of the UN family in Afghanistan. We appeal for a strong and effective coordination and collaboration. In this respect, the EU would welcome a Memorandum of
Understanding to be signed between the lead agency and the deputy SRSG in which the roles and responsibilities of the lead agency concept would be spelled out more in detail.
The EU is ready to support and assist UNAMA in carrying out its mandate.
Mr. President,
I will now turn to the most pressing issue in Afghanistan today, which is security. Thanks to the efforts of the International Community, Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for terrorists, and we have avoided humanitarian disaster. However, these developments achieved so far with enormous effort should not be taken for granted. Security across Afghanistan is an essential element for achieving the goals set forth in the Bonn Agreement. We support the early extension of ISAF beyond its current
six month mandate. Aside from their participation in ISAF, European Union´s Member States are contributing and will continue to assist with the creation of Afghan security institutions, including the establishment of a national army and an independent police force. In this regard, the EU profoundly regrets the tragic loss of five young nationals of two of its Member States whose lives were given in the effort to improve the security situation in Afghanistan. The EU underlines the importance of
effective Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration programmes for reducing the risks derived from the existence of numerous informal armed groups and bringing their members into civil society. Furthermore, the EU considers the formation of a national army of the utmost importance. We welcome the work ISAF has initiated to train the first batallion of the Afghan National Guard. The development of national and local police and an effective justice system are also essential sub-components to
create a stable and secure environment.
Mr. President,
Concerning the political situation, the main goal should be to maintain the implementation of the timetable agreed in Bonn. The Emergency Loyah Jirgah will inaugurate the next major phase of the path towards a fully representative, multiethnic and democratic Afghan political system. It is essential that the selection process take place in a secure and neutral political environment. The EU will continue to support this process and will seek to ensure that it takes place free from intimidation or
any other form of pressure or manipulation. Through important contributions of several of its Member States and of the European Commission the EU is helping to finance the Emergency Loya Jirgah.
The EU reiterates its firm support to the Afghan Interim Authority. We call upon the current AIA and future administrations, as well as all Afghan leaders to support and implement fully the Bonn Agreement in order to ensure respect for the rule of law, democracy, political pluralism and human rights of all, including women and children and all ethnic groups. The commitment entered into in Bonn to hold free and fair elections within two years of the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirga should
be strictly adhered to.
The EU believes that Afghanistan should be guided by the following generally accepted principles enshrined in international instruments to which Afghanistan is Party:
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