Summary: July 29, 2003: Statement to the Security Council of the United Nations by H.E. Ambassador Marcello Spatafora, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, on behalf of the European Union. Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts ( NEW YORK)
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA country, member of the European Economic Area, Norway, declare that they align themselves with this statement.
The meeting of today gives us the opportunity to reiterate the European Union's policy of unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terrorism as criminal acts. We remain deeply convinced that no terrorism is justifiable, irrespective of its motivations and objectives, forms and manifestation. The European Union, along with all its Member States, is strongly committed to defeating this threat and recognizes and supports the central role of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism
everywhere.
Since 1999 the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 has proved to be one of the main instruments at our disposal to fight against terrorism by imposing targeted sanctions designed to focus specifically on the individuals and entities belonging to or associated with Taliban and Al-Qaida.
After the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, resolutions 1390 (2002) and 1455 (2003) imposed and strengthened targeted sanctions designed to focus specifically on the individuals and entities that, in connection with the Taliban or Al-Qaida, were responsible for such threats to and breaches of international peace and security. Under the authority of the Security Council and with the active support of the international community, the scope of the sanctions regime has been enlarged; its
tools have been extended and improved and its working methods have been progressively adapted to the new circumstances. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 has played an important role in this process and will continue to do so. Likewise, we appreciate the important work of the Monitoring Group and its regular reporting to the Committee and the Security Council.
The European Union and its Member States immediately responded to such effort by strengthening their co-operation with this Committee. A unique regulatory framework directly applicable in all EU Member States has ensured proper and timely implementation of all the relevant UN Security Council resolutions in this field. The result was amplified by voluntary alignment to such framework of all acceding countries to the EU. A wide range of legal instruments has been adopted with the aim of
strengthening the restrictive measures imposed by the United Nations, notably to combat the financing of terrorism.
Furthermore, the European Union and its Member States entered into a close cooperation with the Committee and the Monitoring Group which assists it in the fulfillment of its tasks. This cooperation has already given satisfactory results, although it can be further improved, and has allowed ensuring a remarkable flow of information which proved extremely useful to enhance the effectiveness of our overall strategy against terrorism. The European Union firmly supports the continuing efforts by the
Committee to improve its working procedures, thus increasing efficiency, transparency and scope.
Mr. President,
Respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is essential in all efforts to combat terrorism. In this respect, the European Union deeply shares the approach followed by the Security Council with the adoption of resolution 1452 of 20 December 2002 aimed at defining criteria for the granting of such exemptions, in specific cases, based on grounds of humanitarian needs.
The European Union remains convinced that every effort must be made in order to promote due process in the proceedings of the Committee. In this respect, the European Union welcomes the adoption by the Committee - on 7 November 2002 - of guidelines for the conduct of its work that were further revised and expanded on 10 April this year. Sanctions must be implemented on the basis of transparent, technical criteria in order to create maximum legal certainty in the matter. The European Union
stands ready to work in order to further improve the Committee's guidelines as appropriate. The European Union also welcomes the improvement of the format and content of the consolidated list of individuals and entities belonging to or associated with Taliban and Al-Qaida, as well as the adoption by the Committee of a guidance document to assist Member States in the preparation of their implementation reports.
Mr. President,
Terrorism has to and can be defeated, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, by a sustained comprehensive approach involving the participation and collaboration of all States, international and regional organizations, and by redoubled efforts at the national level. Therefore, the European Union shares the need for improved coordination and increased exchange of information between the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267, the Counter-Terrorism
Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 and the Terrorism Branch at the Office on Drugs and Crime. While appreciating that this cooperation is on the right track, the European Union is fully aware that much work remains to be done and therefore it is fully committed to contribute to such an effort with its expertise and best practices in the fight against terrorism.
The European Union and its Member States reiterate their determination to cooperate fully with the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 and with the Monitoring Group both by supplying information as may be requested and by facilitating, to the extent of possible, proper identification of all listed individuals and entities targeted by restrictive measures. In this respect the European Union encourages all States that have not yet done so to provide all possible information in
response to resolution 1455 (2003).
Thank you, Mr. President.
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