Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Security Council: Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committee established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) (28 September 2006: New York)
Statement on behalf of the European Union, H.E. Ms. Kirsti Lintonen, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Public Meeting, Joint briefing of the Chairpersons of the Al-Qaida/Taliban Sanctions Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committee established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), New York
Mr. President,
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, Montenegro, Serbia, 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 declaration.
We recently witnessed the fifth anniversary of the horrendous terrorist attacks of 9/11. Just before that we received the disturbing news of yet another threat to international transport networks. Thanks to effective police work and international co-operation, the plot was foiled. This is a strong testimony that we need to remain vigilant. As terrorism requires a global response, we should lend the United Nations our keen support in order to sustain and continue improving the counter-terrorist
efforts made since 9/11.
In this context, the European Union applauds the adoption of the unique Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by the United Nations General Assembly on 8 September 2006. Its adoption by consensus is a strong political signal to the world. It demonstrates the determination and resolve of the General Assembly to overcome disagreements and unite its members behind our shared goal of preventing and combating terrorism. For the first time, manifold efforts and activities of Member States, the United
Nations system and other relevant actors in the field of counter-terrorism are highlighted in a single United Nations document. The European Union stands ready to co-operate with all Members States to effectively implement the Strategy.
In the same spirit of compromise and co-operation, we should continue our efforts to bridge the differences that still exist. We believe that the General Assembly should keep up the momentum and make every effort to reach an agreement on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, based on the Coordinator's text, without further delay.
The European Union unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism as criminal and stresses that terrorism can never be justified, irrespective of its alleged motivations, objectives, forms or manifestations. At the same time, we underline that the respect for international law, international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law are essential elements for effective and legitimate action to counter terrorism. Our action must be firmly based on due process and the rule of law.
Mr. President,
The Security Council has a pivotal role in international action against terrorism. We thank the three Committee Chairmen for their briefings and take this opportunity to recognise their dedicated involvement in their work. Allow me to briefly highlight some main aspects of their ongoing work;
The European Union strongly supports the work of CTC and the CTED to guarantee full implementation of the commitments laid out in Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001). We also attach importance to the implementation of the measures laid out in Security Council Resolution 1624 (2005) and welcome CTC's recent report on the status of implementation. We encourage those who have not yet reported on their national measures to do so as soon as possible.
The European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the European Union Strategy for Combating Radicalization and Recruitment to Terrorism were adopted in December 2005. They inter alia highlight the need to disrupt the activities of the networks and individuals who draw people into terrorism and to ensure that voices of mainstream opinion prevail over those of extremism. These Strategies and the related Action Plan cover a number of recommendations for both short and long term activities by the
Union and its Member States.
The European Union remains committed to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and has welcomed the extension of the mandate of the 1540 Committee for a further two years by Security Council Resolution 1673 (2006). We encourage all Member States that have not already done so to submit their reports to the Committee.
The European Union recognizes the practical progress achieved by the 1267 Committee in improving the Al-Qaida/Taliban sanctions regime and making the information contained in the consolidated list more useful and accessible to all Member States. The European Union takes a keen interest in the discussion on the Committee's guidelines concerning the listing and de-listing procedures. Let me highlight in this context the European Union's current work concerning listing and de-listing issues,
including the European Union-United States joint workshop that is presently taking place in Helsinki. We reiterate our call to deal with this issue expeditiously as mandated by Security Council Resolution 1617 (2005) and the World Summit of 2005 taking note of the input by the Secretary-General.
Mr. President,
The work of the Committees is underpinned by adequate reporting by the Member States. The European Union attaches great importance to full and timely reporting. We support the ongoing efforts to consolidate States' reporting requirements.
The European Union supports the active outreach of the Committees in order to enhance States' implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1371 (2001) and 1540 (2004). The Committees and their experts' information sharing and co-operation visits to and interaction with Members States as well as contacts with international organisations have proved to be most useful. The visits and contacts need to be adequately prepared and followed up. In this respect the European Union sees
possibilities of synergy in the activities of the different Committees. The European Union has participated in some visits by the CTED and stands ready to continue this. The European Union is also providing financial support to the three regional seminars organised by the 1540 Committee in Beijing, Accra and Lima.
The European Union recognizes the importance of technical assistance in the work of the Committees and the CTED. In terms of technical assistance, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime plays an important role. For its part, the European Union and the individual Member States have made assistance available and continue to be ready to provide assistance to build capacity. The European Community already provides several hundred million euros of assistance
to some 80 countries around the world in fields such as border management, counter-terrorist financing and police cooperation. The European Union emphasises the role of regional and sub regional organisations in creating synergies on technical, financial, regulatory, legislative or other assistance programmes and in promoting best practices.
Thank you, Mr. President.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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