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EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Central America

Mr. President,

It is my honor to take the floor on behalf of the European Union with reference to the draft resolution entitled "Situation in Central America: procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development". The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the EU (Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia et Slovenia), the associated countries (Cyprus, Malta and Turkey), align themselves with this declaration.

First of all, I should like to congratulate the Secretary?General on the high quality of the reports which have been submitted on this agenda item: the report on human rights in Guatemala, the two reports which take stock of the activities of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) and the report on progress towards peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and development in Central America.

These reports confirm the distance traveled since this matter first came up on the General Assembly's agenda back in 1983. Although there are still serious problems and major social inequalities, most of the region is now in a position to consolidate the progress, which has been made towards peaceful settlement of the various conflicts in the region, the free exercise of democratic rights and the strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Before dealing with the various countries in turn, I should like to stress the high priority, which the European Union accords to economic and social development in the countries of Central America:

• the San José dialogue, founded in 1984, is the framework for exchanges between the European Union and Central America. The last ministerial conference was held in Villamoura in February 2000 and demonstrated a joint determination by all the countries of the European Union and of Central America to strengthen and intensify cooperation between them. The summit of Heads of State or Government in Rio de Janeiro in 1999 also gave fresh impetus to this process, within a three?way dialogue between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, by laying the groundwork for a strategic partnership with three major strands: one political, one economic and one cultural, educational, scientific and technical. Within the framework of this strategic partnership, the European Union and the Latin American and Caribbean countries adopted a joint anti-drugs action plan in Panama on 8 and 9 April 2000.
  
  
• The Union is actively supporting those countries in the region, which have embarked upon structural reforms designed to bring about economic development and social peace. The European Union has adopted a Regional Programme for the Reconstruction of Central America (RPRCA), which, together with bilateral donations, is worth a billion euros, to help those countries affected by Hurricane Mitch. The European Union intends to continue its support for the process begun in Stockholm, particularly at the next Regional Consultative Group meeting in Madrid in January 2001. In particular, the Madrid meeting should offer an opportunity to present Central America as an area of economic development with potential for investment. The countries of Central America and the donor countries will examine, particularly during this meeting, various regional projects designed to put in place major infrastructure, which will prepare the way for economic development and regional integration. In our view, the recovery programme should help to boost democracy, increase transparency, improve environmental protection and alleviate poverty. National and bilateral measures taken in the Paris Club should also help to provide back up for the recovery process.
  
  
• Like the UN Secretary-General, the European Union continues to attach considerable importance to regional integration. This is a pre-requisite for peace and development in Central America and no doubt one of the best possible ways of dealing with the diplomatic friction and border incidents which have plagued the countries of the region over the last two years.

The European Union would like to reaffirm its full support for the various initiatives, which have been taken to put an end to border disputes, notably under the auspices of the Organization of American States. In our view, stable borders are crucial for peace and security in the region and essential to achievement of the objectives of peace, reconciliation, democracy, development and justice enshrined in the Esquipulas II Agreement of 1987. The EU particularly welcomes the agreement to adopt confidence-building measures signed by the representatives of Guatemala and Belize in the OAS Permanent Council on 7 November 2000. It is also pleased to note the constructive approach taken by Nicaragua, which has decided to submit its maritime demarcation dispute with Honduras to the International Court of Justice. The European Union calls on Nicaragua and Costa Rica to continue the process begun by their two Presidents in Mexico in June 2000. The EU wishes to reaffirm its commitment to conflict-prevention measures in the region and supports the creation of regional mechanisms for resolving any disputes which may arise between countries in the area.

The European Union is pleased that general elections were carried out late last year, in which the URNG participated as a political party. It welcomes the peaceful transfer of power, signalling significant progress towards democracy and the creation of an inclusive political system.

The European Union unreservedly supports the Secretary-General's reasonable and balanced proposals for extending MINUGUA's mandate until 2003. This is necessary to enable Guatemala to consolidate the achievements of the peace agenda and, in particular, to implement those components of the agenda, which are still outstanding. The European Union particularly calls on all parties to implement provisions on the Fiscal Pact for a Future with Peace and Development, land reform, official status for indigenous languages, dismantling the Presidential Military Staff and reform of the Secretariat for Strategic Analysis. The European Union also calls on the parties to finalize the new timetable for implementing these measures as soon as possible. As we see it, extension of the MINUGUA mandate should above all enable the parties to stand by their own commitments. The international community can be no substitute for national efforts to achieve peace, which are more indispensable than ever. The European Union will remain particularly attentive to the measures taken to combat human rights violations and effectively combat impunity.

The EU calls on the Guatemalan authorities to act on the Mission's recommendations on human rights. It would also urge the Government to set up the Commission for Peace and Harmony as recommended by the Commission for Historical Clarification and the UN Secretary?General.

The European Union is heartened by the continuing consolidation of peace in El Salvador. Although there are still certain difficulties regarding public security and agrarian reform, the progress achieved is significant. The European Union fully endorses the Secretary-General's calls for the Office of the Ombudsman, which constitutes a central institutional guarantee that human rights will be protected, to be given greater influence and resources, and for the parties to redouble their efforts to honor their commitment to respect both the letter and the spirit of the 1992 agreements.

Against this background, the European Union obviously welcomes the fact that this year's parliamentary and municipal elections in El Salvador and municipal elections in Nicaragua were carried out freely and fairly. The peaceful manner in which these respective elections were conducted is an encouraging sign that past resentments have given way to genuine political maturity. Nevertheless, the European Union would join with the Secretary-General in deploring the low participation rates, which were unfortunately accentuated, in Nicaragua by an electoral reform, which has had the effect of eliminating a large number of parties from the electoral process and encouraging abstention, which reached 80% in some provinces. In our view, full participation in the electoral process, especially by the indigenous population and by women, should be more actively encouraged.

I should like to conclude by reaffirming that the peoples and governments of the European Union are firmly committed to continuing to work together, alongside the peoples and governments of Central America, to consolidate peace and democracy in the region.

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