EU Presidency Statement - Host country relations

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union on agenda item 163 entitled "Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country". I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the associated countries of Cyprus and Malta, as well as the EFTA country member of the European Economic Area Liechtenstein, align themselves with this statement.

The European Union wishes to express its appreciation for the work of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country. Since its inception, the Committee has provided a unique forum to discuss and to resolve, to the benefit of all the members of the United Nations, practical problems encountered from time to time by members of the diplomatic community in New York. Finding solutions to such problems contributes to the smooth functioning of the United Nations Headquarters and promotes understanding between the Organization, its member States and the host country.

The European Union welcomes the efforts made by the Government of the United States, through the Office of Foreign Missions of its Mission to the United Nations, to accommodate the interests and requirements of the diplomatic community in New York.

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union wishes to thank the Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Sotirios Zackheos of Cyprus, for his lucid introduction of the Committee´s report. The leadership and expertise his delegation has provided to the Committee over the years has significantly contributed to its work.

The list of topics for consideration by the Committee covers issues which are of great interest to all members of the UN which maintain permanent missions to the United Nations in New York, including questions relating to the implementation of the Headquarters Agreement between the United Nations and the United States, housing, transportation as well as the question that unfortunately has become an even higher priority, i.e. the security of missions and safety of their personnel.

With regard to transportation, the European Union would like to reaffirm what it has stated repeatedly. It is important to ensure sufficient parking space for diplomatic vehicles in order to maintain appropriate conditions for the functioning of missions.

Concerning the question of tax exemption, the European Union would like to thank the host country for its useful explanation on the regime governing the payment of real estate or property tax by permanent missions.

The European Union would also like to reiterate that questions regarding the issuance of visas to representatives of Member States of the United Nations and regarding their movements on the host country's territory need to be settled in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Headquarters Agreement.

Finally, the European Union wishes to seize this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to the host country, and in particular to the city of New York, for the supplementary efforts they have made to ensure the security of the Missions accredited to the United Nations and their personnel, after the horrific terrorist attacks on the city and the host country on 11 September 2001. In this respect, the European Union understands and supports the adoption of extraordinary measures that have been taken after the terrorist acts, in particular with regard to access to the United Nations premises, and remains fully prepared to cooperate with the host country.

Finally, the European Union is pleased to lend its support to all the recommendations and conclusions of the Committee in its report and would like to reiterate its appreciation for the efforts of the Committee and its Chairman towards meeting the concerns of the United Nations diplomatic community in New York. In this context, we have full confidence in the host country's commitment to take all measures necessary to prevent any interference with the functioning of the missions.

I thank you, Mister Chairman.

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• EU Presidency Statement - Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country (5/11/2003)