EU Presidency Statement - Report of JIU

EU Presidency Statement on Item 124: PPB 2006-2007: Report of the JIU on the harmonisation of the conditions of travel throughout the United Nations system by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations on behalf of the European Union, Fifth Committee, United Nations, New York

Thank you Mr Chairman. I have the honour 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 country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

Mr Chairman

The European Union is grateful to the Chairman of the Joint Inspection Unit, Mr. Ion Goriţa, & to Mr Kenneth Herman of the UN System Chief Executives Board for introducing their respective reports. We also thank the acting chair of the ACABQ for his comments. The EU welcomes the report of the JIU on harmonisation of the conditions of travel throughout the UN system. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current and historical administration of travel while highlighting the need for greater streamlining of travel conditions & entitlements across the UN system.

The European Union intends to engage fully with this issue during informal consultations, and has several questions regarding certain recommendations contained in both documents. We wish to state now, however, that with regard to first class accommodation, such entitlement should be strictly limited. Clearer definitions of the criteria for any exceptions to this standard remain to be developed.

We look forward to discussing this and other aspects of this issue in informal consultations.

Thank you.


* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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• EU Presidency notes - Informal meeting on UN Management Reform (6/12/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Joint Inspection Unit (10/10/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - 5th Committee: Programme of Work (10/10/2005)