Summary: November 20, 2003: Statement to the Security Council of the United Nations by H.E. Ambassador Marcello Spatafora, Permanent Representative of Italy, on behalf of the European Union. The International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (New York)
Mr. President,
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, the associate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
Since this is the first time that I am taking the floor under your Presidency, allow me to congratulate you on your effective leadership of the Council during the month of November. I thank you for giving us an opportunity to debate this important issue and I also thank Mr. Fall for his briefing.
Mr. President,
The European Union is convinced that the fundamental problems affecting the Great Lakes region require a regional approach. For the first time since 1994, positive developments in the concerned countries have created concrete prospects for lasting political stability in the area and they have allowed for realistic steps forward in the organization of the International Conference on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development for the Great Lakes. The European Union supports the initiative for
such a Conference under the auspices of the United Nations and the African Union, and commends the efforts of the involved countries and of the Secretary-General to this end.
Mr. President,
Allow me to share with you a few points as the European Union's contribution to today's debate.
We are fully aware of the importance of "African Ownership" in this process. The success of the Conference will depend primarily on the common political will of the countries involved in achieving shared objectives. We welcome the emergence of a positive attitude towards the Conference in the countries of the region.
The European Union sees this Conference as the beginning of a process of normalisation rather than a one-time event. We believe it is important to establish clear and realistic objectives that can be attained in the agreed timeframe. The Conference should not stop at establishing principles, but should ideally result in concrete operational agreements or projects. Coordination and consistency with other existing processes, such as NEPAD, is also important, as well as the need to avoid
duplication with other fora.
The full and effective participation of all countries in the region, including all neighbouring countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa, is also crucial, as well as the involvement of sub-regional organizations, international financial institutions, observer countries and the European Union. The establishment of a "Group of Friends" will provide a valuable forum for discussion and coordination of international support for the Conference.
Among the issues to be addressed, peace and security are clearly central. We welcome the Declaration on Good Neighbouring and Cooperation signed in New York on 25 September 2003 by some countries of the region, which already identified the main principles to be applied, namely: the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each State, the non-interference in neighbours' internal affairs, and the control of arms trafficking and supplies directed to other countries. Breaking the
cycle between conflict, arms trade and illegal exploitation is one of the main issues that the Conference should address.
We also expect the Conference to play an important role in promoting trade, investment and economic cooperation and integration within the region. The challenge ahead is that of ensuring that the immense natural resources held by the region are exploited for the social and economic development of the entire population. The active participation of the private sector and regional organizations is also welcomed.
Finally, the Conference provides an opportunity for the countries of the region to address crucial issues such as good governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, whose advancement may help to restore confidence between the governments and their respective populations. The African Union and NEPAD already provide a valid and agreed framework for tackling these issues. A thorough discussion on transitional justice and the need to end impunity may also contribute to the regional
reconciliation process. The strong involvement of civil society will also be welcomed.
Mr. President,
Consolidating the peace processes in the region will be a fundamental element in the success of the Conference. The European Union, along the lines indicated by the United Nations and the African Union, has played an important role in this, as demonstrated recently by the European Union-led operation "Artemis", which provided immediate relief for the civilian population and was an example of successful crisis management.
Today the European Union is strongly committed to supporting the new Congolese institutions through a major post-conflict program of assistance. Our focus is on demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of combatants, the creation of an integrated police unit, and the preparation for elections by the year 2005.
The preparation for elections could prove a very difficult task in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We support the efforts of MONUC in this regard, and hope that it will be possible to draw on its logistics, since the success of the electoral process will depend largely on the availability of adequate transport and communication facilities.
As for Burundi, we congratulate South Africa, the Governments of the "Regional Initiative" and the African Union for brokering an agreement between the Transitional Government and the group "Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie - FDD." We urge the group "Forces Nationals de Liberation" FNL to join the political process and we encourage the Government of Burundi to keep the door open to the negotiations.
The European Union and its Member States will continue to support the "African Mission in Burundi (AMIB)" deployed by the African Union. However, the long-term sustainability of this African-led force is seriously open to question. We believe that the option for a transfer of authority to the United Nations shall have to be considered in due course to ensure peace keeping in Burundi.
The elections in Rwanda also represent a key factor in the prevailing situation in the Great Lakes, as they are an important step towards national reconciliation and the consolidation of viable democratic institutions.
Mr. President,
The Great Lakes area has become a major focus of European Union foreign policy, as it is a test case of the ability of Africa, with our support, to become master of its own destiny. The envisaged Conference could provide the right framework for ensuring that our support is based on a regional approach. We welcome the steps already taken in this direction and we pledge our continued support to the consolidation of peace and development in the region.
Thank you, Mr. President.
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page