Summary: July 17, 2003: Statement by H.E. Mr. Paolo Bruni, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Italy, on behalf of the European Union. Item 7 (h) of the Agenda: Ad hoc advisory group on African countries emerging from conflict. Substantive Session of ECOSOC (GENEVA, 30 JUNE - 25 JULY 2003)
Mrs. Vice-President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union under item 07 (h) - Ad Hoc Advisory Group on African countries emerging from conflict - on the draft resolutions on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau and on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi.
The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the countries associated with the EU - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - have aligned themselves with this statement.
Mrs. Vice-President,
Last January, considering the report of the Ad Hoc Group on Guinea Bissau (Doc. E/2003/8), the EU recognized the value of establishing this innovative mechanism to address in a coherent manner the multiple needs of African countries emerging from conflict situations.
Today, we continue to appreciate the Group's continuous efforts to help resolving the crisis in Guinea Bissau and underline the importance of its close collaboration with the Ad Hoc Group of the Security Council on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa as well as with the International Financial Institutions.
The EU welcomes in particular the cooperation that has been established between the Security Council and ECOSOC. We believe that this new form of cooperation between different UN bodies, which has Guinea-Bissau as its first test-case, should be further improved and considered for other countries as a comprehensive and integrated approach to post-conflict situations.
Mrs. Vice-President,
The EU is gravely concerned by the growing political, social and economic instability of Guinea-Bissau. As both the Secretary-General`s report on developments in Guinea Bissau of 9 June and the supplementary report presented to ECOSOC by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea Bissau (DOC E/2003/95) clearly point out, the situation in Guinea-Bissau has been rapidly deteriorating.
The worsening social and economic situation of the population has continued to give rise to political tensions, while the human rights situation has become more fragile, reflecting and, at the same time, adding to the general instability. The entire political climate is greatly affected by the stalling of the constitutional and electoral processes.
Mrs. Vice-President,
The EU attaches special importance to the timely, orderly and democratic conduct of the elections that were originally scheduled for July 2003. While regretting their postponement to October, the EU hopes, as pointed out in the Supplementary report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, that this will allow better preparation and create the conditions for a transparent, fair and credible electoral process.
The EU calls on the Guinea-Bissau authorities to take all necessary measures to organize the forthcoming elections in a democratic manner, in accordance with internationally recognized legal procedures and principles. The EU expresses its willingness to co-operate toward their implementation and is also willing to consider electoral assistance for the forthcoming legislative elections, provided that the above mentioned procedures and principles are adhered to.
The EU supports the idea of a genuine partnership between the Government of the country and the international community based on common objectives and a long-term development strategy. The efforts of the international community, however, must be met by clear and tangible commitments by Guinea-Bissau concerning good governance and the rule of law.
Mrs. Vice-President,
In view of the exceptional present situation, the EU shares the willingness of the international community to provide assistance to and support the efforts of the Government of Guinea Bissau. In this context, we confirm our position in favour of the extension of the Group's mandate to continue to monitor the humanitarian and recovery situation of the country.
Finally, the EU considers that an assessment of the work done by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau and the drawing of lessons-learned from this experience would be particularly useful when considering requests for institution of other similar groups.
Mrs. Vice-President,
The EU has noted with favour the request to ECOSOC from the Government of Burundi to establish an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi to study and monitor the humanitarian and economic situation in this country, with a view to post-conflict reconstruction.
The EU considers Burundi an important test case for the capability of the international community to address post-conflicts situations. By preventing setbacks, bringing pressure on outside players and helping with economic and social development, the international community could not only help Burundi, but also bring about a positive spillover effect on the wider Great Lakes region.
Mrs. Vice-President,
Though welcoming the start of the second phase of the transitional period and the handover of the Presidency to Mr. Ndayizeye on April 30, 2003, the EU is however deeply concerned at the renewed fighting recently hitting the capital Bujumbura. The EU encourages all parties to resume negotiations to reach a comprehensive cease-fire, in the spirit of the Arusha Agreement of August 2000. The EU also wishes to express its support to the African peace-keeping Mission in Burundi (AMIB), whose role in
establishing peace in the country is very important.
On the other hand, the EU is also concerned for the slow path of economic recovery. The EU is a major humanitarian donor to Burundi with an additional 15 Million euros program adopted in February this year by ECHO. In addition, last August the European Commission also signed a National Indicative Program with Burundi, focusing on institutional capacity building, rural development and financial assistance. We urge the Transitional Government of Burundi to tackle the rehabilitation and
development issues faced by the country in the current phase and we look forward to constructively participating in the donor round table to be organized by the UNDP.
Mrs. Vice-President,
For these reasons, the EU welcomes the proposal to establish an Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi, and is ready to start consultations regarding the modalities for establishing such a group. It is important to us that this second ad hoc advisory group builds on the experience of the first one and is constructed in such a way as to provide the required value-adding to the Burundi peace-building and recovery process. We rely on you, Mr. Chairman, to achieve this result.
Thank you, Mrs. Vice-President.
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