EU Presidency Statement - Financing of UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)

Sommaire: EU Presidency Statement - Financing of UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (11 October 2005: New York)

EU Presidency Statement on FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS STABILIZATION MISSION IN HAITI, by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, 5TH COMMITTEE, 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 EU should like to thank the Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division and the Acting Chair of ACABQ for the introduction of their respective reports.

Given the volatility of the situation in Haiti, and the approaching elections, the EU was supportive of the increased UN presence as authorised in Security Council resolution 1608 of 22 June. In this context, we note that the majority of the additional resources requested are a direct result of the temporary increase in military personnel.

We also note that the budget contains requests for additional civilian personnel. In this respect, we share fully the views and concerns expressed by the ACABQ in its report. The apparent lack of implementation of previously approved recommendations, combined with a relatively high vacancy rate, call into question whether an accurate needs assessment of staffing has indeed been carried out by the Mission before the submission of yet another request for additional civilian staff.

The EU expects to see during the post-election period, taking due account of the situation on the ground, a progressive reduction in MINUSTAH's personnel and financial requirements. We also expect MINUSTAH's budget for the 2006/07 period to be based on soundly justified proposals following a comprehensive review of staffing requirements.

Thank you.

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

Ref: PRES05-248EN
Source UE: Présidence UE
UN forum: Cinquième Commission (Affaires administratives et budgétaires)
Date: 11/10/2005

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