EU Presidency Statement - Guinea-Bissau

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the E.U. The acceding countries Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey declare that they align themselves with this statement.

African countries emerging from conflict situations should be among the highest priorities of the UN system. With the establishment last July by ECOSOC of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on such countries, an important mechanism to address the multiple needs of these countries has been put in place.

At the same time the other two major UN organs (the General Assembly with the adoption of the resolution on NEPAD and the Security Council with the establishment of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution) have recognized the interactive relationship between security and development and the importance of both in the efforts to achieve sustainable development of the countries concerned.

In this context the E.U. welcomes also the continued involvement of the international financial institutions in these processes. We believe that they have an essential role to play in consolidating peace in countries emerging from conflict and in supporting efforts towards long-term growth and development.

From the very beginning the EU, given ECOSOC's coordinating role to increase awareness of the particular challenges faced by countries emerging from conflict, has welcomed and supported the establishment of the Ad Hoc Advisory group on Guinea Bissau, as a useful mechanism, to deal with the needs of the country.

The creation of the group responds also to the need of the international community to find instruments of assistance for countries that no longer need peacekeeping support, yet are not ready to receive regular donor assistance.

We now can express our appreciation for the comprehensive work done by the group, after its consultations with all stakeholders, in and outside of the country, and for its report to ECOSOC. Though the mandate of the group was to come up with recommendations addressing the long-term needs of the country, we welcome the fact that the group has included short-term recommendations, as well, in its report. Indeed Guinea Bissau is facing many short-term challenges that have an impact on its development. For this reason the EU supports the idea of a genuine partnership between the government of Guinea Bissau and the international community based on common objectives and a long term development strategy.

In this respect, it is critical that the elections, scheduled for April 20, are free and fair and no obstacles are put to the participation and free expression of political parties and groups in all stages of the electoral process. In this way, the government of Guinea-Bissau will demonstrate its commitment to the compact proposed in the report and will help to restore donor confidence. In this spirit, the international community should support free and fair elections.

Moreover, as the elections will have an impact on the feasibility of the implementation of the Compact, we welcome and favor the extension of the mandate of the group in order to follow-up on its examination of the humanitarian and economic situation.

Mr. President,

Guinea-Bissau is clearly at an important crossroad. There are political challenges to be dealt with and sub-regional circumstances to be taken into consideration. This is the time for the international community as a whole, and particularly for the United Nations system to provide assistance to Guinea-Bissau and promote in that respect the required synergies to address an exceptional situation. Any effort of the international community must be met by clear and tangible commitments by Guinea-Bissau concerning good governance and the rule of law. The partnership between Guinea-Bissau and the international community clearly needs a commitment from both sides.

Thank you Mr. President.

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