Summary: October 8, 2003: Statement to the General Assembly of the United Nations by Mr. Roberto Martini, First Counselor, Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN,on behalf of the European Union. Fifth Committee - ART.19 OF THE U.N. CHARTER: REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION ITEM 124. Fifty-Eighth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries-Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia-as well as the associated countries-Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey-and the EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area-Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway-have aligned themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman,
The question of exemptions to article 19 of the Charter is very important; and unfortunately it is also a recurrent one for the 5th Committee. We should deal with it with the seriousness it deserves and with the prudence it calls for. It is important that the UN membership sends the right signals about the necessary balance between rigour in prompt payment by all members of their assessed contributions, and comprehension for those of our colleagues who, through no fault of their own, are unable
to meet that obligation.
In this respect, the EU first of all reiterates its deepest belief that the regular procedure for requesting and obtaining Art. 19 exemptions, is to apply to the CoC. This procedure must be followed in all cases: exceptions are to be restricted to very limited cases, supported by objective reasons.
Mr. Chairman,
Concerning the nine requests dealt with in the Report A/58/11 of the CoC, the EU considers the recommendations of the CoC as an important reference.
Furthermore, with respect to the case of Niger, which was not addressed to the CoC, we are ready to consider it favourably, also with respect to the fact that, to our understanding, this is the first time that Niger submits such a request. To that end, Niger should submit a schedule for the payment of its contributions and arrears as soon as possible.
However, we want to flag up once again our deep concern on the procedural rules for exemptions, included the need for Member States to comply with the time limits set for by GA res. 54/237 C, in order to ensure a fair and complete review of their requests by the CoC.
I will conclude, Mr Chairman, by noting that the EU is acting in a spirit of cooperation on these issues. We wish to avoid the drawn-out debates of previous years. But the EU is also committed to the overall improvement of the UN financial situation: to this end also multi-year payment plans for contributions are to be encouraged.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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