EU Presidency Statement - The Congo

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European Countries associated with the European Union Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

The European Union welcomes the report by the Panel of Experts on illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We recognise the work accomplished by the Panel so far, and note with interest the conclusions and recommendations put forward in its report.

The European Union supports the decision by the Security Council to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts for a period of 3 months. It is important that this time be given to allow the Panel inter alia to gather additional information on aspects not fully covered in the report of 12 April, such as the role of certain regional actors, to fully analyse existing data and to gather comments from parties and actors cited in the report. We welcome the commitment by the Security Council to consider both the current report and the expected addendum, when the Panel reports back in August with an update on the situation. It is our hope that the follow-up will contribute to the peace process in the DRC, which has seen encouraging developments already.

Mr. President,

Though further investigations and consultations are warranted, the European Union wants to put on record today its concern at the general findings in the report. They indicate that wide-spread illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth has occurred in the DRC, and that there is a link between exploitation and the continuation of the conflict. That is, in short, unacceptable. Not only does it complicate the quest for peace in the region. It also imposes an enormous cost on ordinary Congolese people, both current and future generations.

The European Union thus urges governments and rebel groups to investigate the information contained in the report, to take action to prevent any illegal exploitation and to refrain from exploitation contributing to the continuation of the conflict. We also call on other actors - individuals and private companies alike - to act responsibly and cease any involvement in illegal exploitation. For its part, the European Union has taken note of the information in the report relating specifically to alleged activities by European companies, and member states are following up on that information.

Today's meeting is crucial as a forum for parties to elaborate their positions in response to the report by the Panel of Experts. The European Union particularly appreciates the presence here today of the Honourable Ministers of the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, and we welcome the announcements made this morning by Uganda and Burundi on investigations into activities of their nationals. We take the active involvement of the Ministers here as a sign of commitment on the part of their governments to engage in a constructive dialogue on the issues addressed by the panel. Such political dialogue, both among the parties directly concerned and between them and the Security Council, the United Nations and the international community as a whole, should be pursued to enable measures effectively putting an end to illegal exploitation and to exploitation which sustains the conflict.

Mr. President,

Establishing a legal framework for a sustainable management of natural resources is crucial for any long-term development policy. As the DRC and the neighbouring countries gradually emerge from the devastating conflict that has engulfed the region, the opportunities to invest in rehabilitation, reconstruction and socio-economic development will grow. The European Union remains ready to respond to these needs, including by assisting the countries of the region to establish a sustainable framework for resource management.

The European Union reaffirms its position that lasting peace in the DRC can be achieved only through a negotiated peace settlement which is fair to all parties, through respect for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the DRC and for democratic principles and human rights in all States of the region, and by taking account of the security interests of the DRC and its neighbouring countries. We reiterate our strong support for the Lusaka agreement as the consensual basis for peace in the DRC and the region.

In this context, the European Union welcomes the report by the Secretary-General on 17 April reflecting that some progress has been made in the implementation of the Lusaka agreement and confirming in particular that phase II of MONUC has been launched. The European Union also welcomes the plans for a Security Council mission to the region later this month, and hopes that this active commitment by the Security Council can assist the parties in taking the right decisions towards peace.

Mr. President,

Studying the interface between economic interests and armed conflicts is vital in order to get a full understanding on a global scale of today's threats to international peace and security. The European Union welcomes the increasing attention given by the Security Council to this aspect in the context of a number of conflicts currently on its agenda.

Finally, Mr. President, I want to add our voice to those who have expressed today their sorrow and outrage at the recent murder of six ICRC workers in the DRC. Our condolences go to their families and relatives.

Thank you.

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• EU Presidency Statement - The DRC (24/7/2001)
• EU Presidency Statement - The situation in the DRC (13/6/2001)
• EU humanitarian aid to the Congo (3/3/2001)