EU Presidency Statement - International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia

Mr. Chairman,

Secretary-General, Secretary of State Powell, Chairman Bryant, Mr Madavo, Ministers, agency heads and Conference participants, I am deeply honoured to represent the European Union here today on this important and significant occasion for Liberia.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Chairman Bryant and the delegation of the National Transitional Government. Your presence here, representing the people of Liberia is critical to the deliberations on the reconstruction of your country.

Mr. Chairman,

Over 14 years of war has destroyed the political, institutional, social and economic infrastructure of Liberia. Almost the entire population has been traumatised. One third of the population has been displaced. Regional stability and security have been undermined. Many, many thousands have died or have been maimed in the conflict. An entire generation of child soldiers has become educated in the horrors of war. The scenes transmitted world wide from Monrovia, just a few months ago, as the conflict raged around the city, were a nightmare vision of a civilian population terrorised beyond endurance.

We now have a real opportunity to finally end the agony of Liberia and its people. This Conference, building on the progress made since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra last August, offers a genuine opportunity for this richly endowed and beautiful country to move beyond years of civil war, destruction and despair and to begin the process of renewal and reconstruction. It goes without saying that we must grasp the opportunity for peace and progress with both hands. We in the European Union will not be found wanting in our support for this challenging endeavour.

I vividly recall the inauguration of the National Transitional Government in Monrovia last October, which I attended as part of the EU delegation. My overall feeling, at that time, was one of optimism and hope, despite the undoubted challenges facing Liberia. The establishment of an internationally supported Transitional Government is a tangible step in building a framework to move forward politically, socially and economically.

Security and stability are the foundations of recovery, reconstruction and longer term development. Security is the life-blood of economic activity. People will not return to their homes and livelihoods, nor farmers to their fields, until they can do so in conditions of peace and safety. It is imperative that security be extended throughout the country as quickly as possible.

The EU strongly acknowledges the important role played by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in brokering the Peace Agreement and initiating the peacekeeping operation. I am pleased that the European Community could financially assist ECOWAS in these tasks. The EU Troika met with ECOWAS in Accra last October, and we look forward to our next meeting taking place during Ireland's Presidency of the EU on 10 May 2004.

The EU welcomes the establishment of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). EU Member States are contributing to this Mission, including The Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland which is providing one of our largest ever contingents of troops for a UN Mission.

We firmly believe that no progress can be made without the timely implementation of UNMIL's mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of violence, to support the provision of humanitarian assistance, to help promote human rights and particularly to assist in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society of the members of armed groups.

The EU wishes to commend the work of all those involved in bringing together the comprehensive Joint Needs Assessment for Liberia. This document, produced under tight time pressures and in difficult circumstances, provides a solid framework for discussion at this Conference and for moving forward rapidly in order to bring the benefits of the peace dividend to all Liberians. No doubt as peace and security take hold, and as progress is made, the Assessment can be updated based on more current and accurate information.

Moreover, let us not forget that no lasting peace will be possible in Liberia if we do not succeed in bringing back stability to the whole region of West Africa. Most of the challenges that Liberia is facing - armed groups, refugees, arms trafficking, child soldiers - are equally affecting neighbouring countries and can only be dealt with successfully at the regional level. It is therefore of paramount importance that we continue to display the same resolve in assisting the ongoing peace-processes in Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire.

Mr. Chairman,

All of us here today are present with one clear objective, to support peace and recovery in Liberia and thus end the horrors to which Liberians have been subject to for too many years. We are here to send the strongest message of our moral and financial support to Liberians in the task of rebuilding the country and ensuring no return to the conflict. This international support, which I believe will be forthcoming in the pledges to be outlined later today, must be matched by an equal level of responsibility and ownership of the recovery and reconstruction process by the Liberian leadership and people. The ordinary people of Liberia have suffered enough and have no greater desire than that of peace and safety.

I recall that on taking office, Chairman Bryant made a number of key pledges:

the introduction of transparency in Government and respect for human rights; to work with the UN to hold free and fair elections, demobilisation of fighters, establishment and maintenance of order and restoration of basic services.

Chairman Bryant, on behalf of the European Union and on my own behalf, we support your tasks and objectives, we wish you well on your challenging journey and we will assist you, in close coordination with the international donor community.

Thank you.

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• EU Presidency Statement - International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia (6/2/2004)