Summary: EU Presidency Statement - UN Security Council Public Meeting on UN Office in Timor-Leste (23 January 2006: New York)
United Nations Security Council Public Meeting on the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste; statement by Ambassador Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, New York
Mr. President
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this
statement.
Mr. President,
2. It is now eight months since the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste took over the job of assisting the government in the capacity development of critical state institutions with the aim of further strengthening democratic governance and building peace in Timor-Leste. As the EU stressed in its last statement in the open debate in May 2005, we very much appreciate the invaluable work of the United Nations in peacebuilding in Timor-Leste, through its various missions since 1999. We welcome
the fact that there was a high degree of continuity between UNMISET and UNOTIL, which facilitated a seamless take-over by UNOTIL of its functions. We commend the commitment and contributions of UNOTIL personnel under the continued leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa.
3. Ever since voting overwhelmingly in favor of independence in 1999, Timor-Leste has come a long way and has achieved remarkable progress in reconstruction and state-building. It is in the context of consolidating these gains, that the question of the future UN presence after the end of the mandate of UNOTIL on 20 May 2006 arises. We understand that - with the recent appointment of a new UNDP resident coordinator - the transition to the regular UN and multilateral development framework is well
on track. However, given the remaining challenges in other fields, a small, time-limited political UN presence beyond 20 May 2006 might be useful.
4. The main task ahead in the months and years to come will be to secure the long-term success of the state-building process in Timor-Leste. In this regard, the preparations for and conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2007 are crucial. These elections will be a test for the maturity of the young democracy in Timor-Leste. The fair, correct and open conduct of the election process, and the way in which the election results are handled, are central to the
success of the electoral process. The European Union therefore believes that the process leading to the elections, including the elaboration of new election legislation, has to be managed in an inclusive and transparent manner, involving all the political forces and civil society.
5. Of equal importance for the long-term stability of Timor-Leste is sustainable economic progress. In this regard, the European Union welcomes the recent signing on 12 January of the agreement between Australia and Timor-Leste equally dividing revenues from the oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea between the two countries. We regard this as a very positive development which will assure a steady source of dearly-needed income for the Government of Timor-Leste. At the same time, as past examples
have shown, oil revenues can be a mixed blessing if not managed properly. It is in this context that we stress the importance of establishing clear and transparent mechanisms - including oversight mechanisms - for the management of these resources, for the benefit of reconstruction and development in Timor-Leste.
Mr. President,
6. As the European Union has stressed repeatedly before, we are convinced that justice for the serious human rights violations in Timor-Leste in 1999 must be achieved. In this regard, the EU welcomes the report of the Secretary General's Commission of Experts which was published in June 2005. We note the Security Council's request to the Secretary General of September 2005 to submit a report on justice and reconciliation for Timor-Leste with a practically feasible approach. We are looking
forward to tangible progress in this field. Regarding the Comission of Truth and Friendship established by the governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste in November 2004, we remain deeply concerned about the provisions on amnesty contained in its statute and strongly urge the two governments to revisit this issue. Tackling impunity by holding those responsible for serious human rights violations to account is crucial for the long-term development of Timor-Leste as part of a process that also
seeks peace and reconciliation as well as the strengthening of the rule of law.
Mr. President,
8. Since 1999, the European Union and its member states have consistently expressed their support for Timor Leste's peaceful development and economic viability. From the outset, the European Union and its member states have lived up to their promises, contributing more than € 700 million in support of Timor-Leste's development, accounting for half of all the external assistance the country has received. With Timor-Leste's full membership in the framework of the EU's Africa-Carribbean-Pacific
Cooperation Agreement, Timor-Leste will also be eligible to benefit from support under the European Development Fund. This will ensure continued, reliable and predictable financial support by the EU for Timor-Leste.
9. I would like to conclude, Mr. President, by assuring the Government and people of Timor-Leste of the continued commitment of the European Union to supporting them in their aim to secure the long-term, sustainable stability and development of their young country. In this, we will continue to work closely with all bilateral and multilateral donors. The European Union has confidence in the responsible leadership of the Government and the determination of the people of Timor-Leste so that
Timor-Leste will continue to be regarded as one of the success stories of UN peacebuilding, and as an example for the Peacebuilding Commission.
I thank you.
* Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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