Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Security Council open debate on Afghanistan (23 August 2005: New York)
EU Presidency Statement by Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom Mission of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the UN, on behalf of the European Union at Security Council open debate on Afghanistan
I have the honour also to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, EFTA countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with
this statement.
The European Union warmly welcomes today's debate, on the eve of a crucial period for Afghanistan with the forthcoming parliamentary and provincial elections and the opportunity to reaffirm the long-term commitment of the European Union and the international community to Afghanistan's regeneration.
The European Union congratulates the Government and people of Afghanistan on the huge strides they have made since the Bonn Agreement of December 2001. We share their vision of a stable, peaceful and democratic Afghanistan taking its rightful place in the community of nations. As the Bonn Process nears completion, the European Union affirms its commitment to continue supporting the efforts, already underway, of the Government of Afghanistan to take forward progress on good governance, rule of
law, human rights, including women's rights, institutional capacity building, economic development, poverty reduction and counter-narcotics. As the Secretary- General noted in his report of 12 August, significant challenges remain in these areas, which if left unchecked threaten to undermine progress made to date in Afghanistan.
In close partnership with the Government of Afghanistan, EU member states have taken the lead in a number of key areas. Germany co-ordinates international support to the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to develop an impartial and effective national police force; Italy co-ordinates international assistance to help establish a justice system based on the rule of law; the UK co-ordinates the counter-narcotics effort; and France leads support to the new National Assembly. In addition, EU member
states have contributed both funds and expert assistance to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process, and are supporting the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups programme.
The European Union welcomes the prospect of parliamentary and provincial elections due to take place on 18 September 2005. These elections, following on from the Presidential election in October 2004, mark a further step towards entrenching democracy in Afghanistan. The EU is contributing to the success of these elections in several ways. An EU electoral observer mission will monitor all aspects of the elections. In terms of financial assistance, the European Union collectively (i.e. EU Member
States plus the European Commission) is providing a contribution of $60 million towards the cost of organising the elections. This contribution represents just one element of a larger $3.8 billion collective EU package over 5 years supporting the reconstruction of the country.
Many EU member states are also deploying security resources as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force to help the Government of Afghanistan ensure a secure environment for the elections. In this respect, I would also like to pay my respects to the 17 Spanish Peacekeepers who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the province of Herat last week. I offer my condolences to their families. Several EU member states run Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout the country.
Several EU member states also participate in the US-led Coalition Operation Enduring Freedom, which provides a security presence in the South and East of the country. The EU supports the efforts of the GoA and international community to create a secure environment in which the people of Afghanistan can live without fear of terrorism or violence, and condemns those elements seeking to undermine the country's progress. The EU supports a continued international community security presence until
such time as Afghan security forces are fully operational.
The EU acknowledges the excellent work of UNAMA and Special Representative Arnault and its constructive relationship with the Government of Afghanistan. We look forward to contributing to discussions about an agreed framework for the next phase of international engagement in Afghanistan and we hope that the UN will continue to play a significant leading role.
The EU wishes to inform international partners that the Council of Foreign Ministers has invited H.E. Javier Solana, the High Representative, and the European Commission to bring forward proposals for a comprehensive framework for the EU-Afghanistan relationship following the September 2005 parliamentary elections.
*Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process
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