Summary: October 4, 2004: STATEMENT BY MARK ZELLENRATH, ADVISER, PERMANENT REPRESENTATION OF THE NETHERLANDS TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Item 113 - Scale of Assessments; specifically exemptions under Article 19 of the Charter of the United Nations - GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York)
Mr. Chairman,
The question of exemptions to Article 19 of the Charter is very important; and unfortunately, it is also a recurrent one for the 5th Committee. We should deal with it with the seriousness it deserves, and with the prudence it calls for. It is important that the UN membership sends the right signals about the necessary balance between rigour in prompt payment by all members of their assessed contributions, and comprehension for those Member States who, due to circumstances beyond their control,
are unable to meet that obligation.
In this respect, the EU first of all reiterates its belief that the regular procedure for requesting and obtaining Art. 19 exemptions, is to apply to the Committee on Contributions. This procedure must be followed in all cases: exceptions are to be restricted to very limited cases, supported by objective reasons.
Mr. Chairman,
Concerning the ten requests dealt with in document A/C.5/58/40, the EU accepts the recommendations of the CoC, and we endorse their conclusions on Article 19 exemptions.
Furthermore, with respect to the statement of Georgia, which we interpret as a request for a waiver, we are surprised that Georgia did not present its case to the CoC as was done last year. However, we recognize that Georgia has made a first payment recently - albeit rather late. Given the circumstances, the EU will reluctantly agree to the request for a waiver, on the understanding that Georgia will honor its commitments with regard to the payment schedule. For the future, we fully expect
Georgia to abide by the proper procedures.
However, we want to flag, once again, our deep concern on the neglecting of the procedural rules for exemptions. Member States need to comply with the time limits set by GA res. 54/237-C, in order to ensure a fair and complete review of their requests by the CoC. The EU is also committed to the overall improvement of the UN financial situation: to this end multi-year payment plans for contributions are essential.
I conclude, Mr. Chairman, by noting that the EU is acting in a spirit of cooperation on these issues. We wish to avoid the drawn-out debates of previous years. But our stance, in no way, should be mistaken for a more lenient position towards requests for Article 19 exemptions.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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