Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on Timor-Leste (New York, 5 May 2006)
United Nations Security Council, Public Meeting on Timor-Leste; Statement by Ambassador Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union.
I have the honour 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.
A little more than three months ago, in the esteemed presence of President Gusmao and Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta, we had the opportunity to take stock of the impressive progress made by Timor-Leste in many areas of institution-building, governance and capacity-building as well as the support provided by the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste. I welcome H.E. Foreign Minister Ramos-Horta who is again participating in the Security Council's deliberations today, just before the end of UNOTIL's
mandate.
Since the Public Meeting of the Security Council on 23 January, UNOTIL has continued to provide its invaluable support to Timor-Leste. We commend the commitment and contributions of UNOTIL personnel under the leadership of Special Representative, Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and analytical "End of mandate report" on UNOTIL. The European Union is pleased to note that the process of handing over critical state functions to the
Timorese authorities has gained speed. In particular, we recognize the taking over of the functions of the Treasury, the first indictment for corruption by the Office of the Inspector-General and the beginning of the work of the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice as welcome and important steps in Timor-Leste's progress towards full assumption of the state functions. We view the assumption of all functions related to the question of international technical advisers by the
Capacity Development Coordination Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister, which is expected after 20 May, in a similar light.
However, as the recent events surrounding the dispute within the Defence Forces of Timor-Leste and the ensuing riots in Dili show, the situation remains volatile and much remains to be done - in particular, continued attention needs to be paid to the security sector. The current reports about a mass exodus from Dili, caused by rumours about impending renewed fighting, are a worrying sign of the current security climate in Timor-Leste. The EU shares the Secretary General's assessment that the
National Police (PNTL) is still a nascent force, lacking sufficient experience and resources. Even though the overall performance of the Border Patrol Unit has improved, it still faces a number of considerable challenges, operating - as it is - under even more difficult circumstances than the Police, also with a prospect to the 2007 elections. Furthermore, there are worrying reports about an increase in the number of cases of mistreament and intimidation by the police and an inadequate or slow
response to such allegations. Much remains to be done, also, to ensure the accountability and transparency of the State institutions.
The 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections will be the centerpiece in the consolidation of democracy in Timor-Leste and a test for its maturity. The transparency and inclusiveness of the election process, as well as the fair, correct and open conduct of the elections themselves will be decisive for the legitimacy of the election results. In this regard, we warmly welcome the beginning of a dialogue on the electoral process through the organization by President Gusmao of two workshops in
March. We also hope that the planned wide consultations on the draft electoral laws will secure the broadest possible support for the electoral framework. Nevertheless, the organisation of the 2007 elections and the provision of a safe environment during the campaign and election periods represent formidable challenges for Timor-Leste. The EU agrees that international support for the election process will be crucial for its success.
It is in the context of consolidating the remarkable achievements in reconstruction and state-building and of laying the groundwork for successful elections in 2007, that the question of the future UN presence after the end of the mandate of UNOTIL arises. As the Secretary-General has pointed out in his report, "many of the country's institutions are at a nascent stage and will require the continued assistance and support of the international community". The European Union believes that the
Secretary-General's recommendations for the establishment of a small integrated UN office for one year are a good starting point for discussion on the nature of a follow-on mission, taking into account the wishes expressed in this regard by the government of Timor-Leste and the requirements set out by the Security Council in the letter by its President of 29 March. The establishment of a follow-on mission would go a long way in securing the considerable investment of the International Community
over the past 7 years and in supporting the government at this critical juncture.
As the EU 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, we welcome the Secretary General's intention - expressed in the report - to submit soon a report on justice and reconciliation for Timor-Leste with a practically feasible approach, including possible support by the United Nations in this area following the Security Council request of September 2005. We are looking forward to the
report and its recommendations, with a view to tangible progress in this field. We are also pleased to note that the preservation of copies of the records of the Serious Crimes Process has been ensured, as a basis for possible future steps to ensure accountability for the crimes of 1999.
The long-term success of Timor-Leste will - to a large degree - depend on success in the economic field. While it will still be some time before the fruits of oil exploration can be fully enjoyed, the determined efforts by Timor-Leste towards the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals warrant the continued full support by the country's multilateral and bilateral partners. In this regard, the EU welcomes SR-SG Hasegawa's efforts to enhance coordination and integration of the activities of
UNOTIL and the UN agencies, funds and programs. We support the envisaged elaboration of a common UN country progam, while taking into account the contributions by bilateral donors and the IFIs.
Since 1999, the European Union and its member states have been reliable development partners for Timor-Leste, contributing more than € 700 million or half of all the external assistance. Today, we would like to congratulate Timor-Leste on completing the ratification process of the Cotonou Agreement, by which it became a full member of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of Countries. Timor-Leste is now a member of a political and economic body in which 14 other Pacific Island
Countries, 63 African and Caribbean countries and 25 EU members cooperate politically, economically and in the field of trade. This new partnership reinforces the central co-operation objective of poverty reduction, also adding a political dimension and an innovative trade relation. Timor-Leste will now benefit from EU support in the framework of the European Development Fund (EDF).
Timor-Leste is widely regarded as the one of the success stories of UN peacebuilding and an example for others. However, it still faces considerable challenges on the way ahead. I would like to conclude by expressing the European Union's conviction that everything possible must be done to consolidate peace and democracy in Timor-Leste and to continue to make progress towards long-term, sustainable stability and development. The EU stands ready to play its part in this common endeavour.
Thank you.
*Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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