Austria, 1998

I have the honour and

privilege to speak on behalf of the European Union. In

this capacity I would like to extend my warm and sincere

congratulations to you, Sir, on your election as President

of the General Assembly at its fifty-third session. We are

pleased that a distinguished Latin American statesman

chairs our deliberations. I am confident that your

experience, talent and energy will ensure a successful

outcome for the work of our session.

I wish to express the high appreciation of the

European Union for the outstanding leadership of the

Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and for his excellent work

at the helm of the United Nations. His “quiet revolution”

of institutional reforms has our full support. We are

looking forward to working with him to prepare the

Millennium Assembly in the year 2000 in order to meet

the challenges of human solidarity.

At the turn of the century, we live in a fascinating

and challenging, but also difficult and complex, period of

time, characterized by uncertainty and unpredictability.

Local wars and ethnic conflicts have continued and new

ones have broken out. “Peace processes” have had rather

mixed success, and some show a distressing tendency to

unravel. The threat from weapons of mass destruction is

as alarming as ever. A majority of the Earthâs population

still lives in poverty. Enormous environmental disasters

hit our planet all too often, and organized crime, illicit

drug trafficking and terrorism are the plague of our time.

Financial and economic crises of unprecedented

dimensions do not spare any region — Asia and Russia

being the most recent examples.

The impact of these phenomena is felt directly and

immediately by every citizen in the world. Economies are

more intertwined than ever, and information travels

around the globe within seconds. No one can escape the

forces of globalization, but all of us can join not only in

confronting transnational threats but also in collecting the

fruits of globalization. The United Nations has a key part

to play in this collective effort. Only our universal

organization has the scope and legitimacy to generate the

principles, norms and rules that are essential to harness

the potential of globalization while managing its negative

effects.

7

Todayâs turmoil in the financial markets can be dealt

with only at a global level, addressing the political causes

as well as the financial and economic aspects. It is

imperative that industrial and developing countries elaborate

a common strategy in a framework of international financial

cooperation, including the G-22, and formulate standards

and rules for financial transactions. What is needed now is

leadership. Short-term remedies are not enough; long-term

forward looking policies are required. We must invest in

both sustainable growth and solidarity. As serious as the

crisis is, there is every reason not to panic. The world

economy is basically sound, with two thirds — 70 per

cent — of the worldâs population living in growth zones.

We sometimes forget that.

The European model of social market economy has

served well to harness the forces of globalization.

Respecting the interests and wishes of the people, showing

solidarity for the poor and disadvantaged, promoting social

partnership between employers and employees and

combating unemployment by creating jobs and so on are

intrinsic elements of a social market economy. We believe

that this European model of a social market economy

deserves serious consideration in our turbulent and complex

age. To be honest, this is a kind of third way some are

looking for.

Europeâs answer to the challenges of globalization is

two millennium projects which will shape the face of our

continent: the introduction of the euro and the enlargement

of the Union.

The single currency will improve the functioning of

the internal market, help to secure employment and provide

incentives for the market-oriented structural reforms needed

to safeguard Europeâs competitiveness. The creation of the

euro has the potential to stabilize the international economic

environment and to promote international trade. From the

perspective of the world economy, this will be the most

important effect of the single currency. Markets have

already anticipated the introduction of the euro, as borne

out by the monetary stability of the participating currencies,

at a time when other countries and regions are experiencing

severe financial crises. Consequently, the euro is creating a

zone of stability and prosperity which will benefit the entire

world economy.

The second millennium project, which has far-reaching

consequences, is the enlargement of the European Union.

We are convinced that the integration of our neighbours is

the best way to safeguard lasting political stability and

economic progress in Europe. Successful enlargement will

bring a new dynamic to the Union and strengthen its role

to the benefit of all the citizens of both Europe and the

world. The process of enlarging the Union does not mean

that the Union will become more inward-oriented or

Eurocentric. On the contrary, we are convinced that the

Union must continue to be outward- and forward-looking.

Enlarging the European Union will go hand-in-hand with

developing our traditional relations with countries and

exporting stability around the world.

As President of the Council of the European Union,

I would like to assure Members of the United Nations

that an enlarged Union with a strong common currency

will be a reliable and strong partner for the United

Nations and the world.

I would like to stress the paramount interest of the

European Union in the political and economic stability of

Russia. We hope that the new Government of Russia will

be able to re-establish confidence among the Russian

people and the international financial community. We

stand ready to cooperate further with the Russian

authorities in support of sustained efforts towards

stabilization and reform.

Let me now draw attention to a subject to which I

attach the highest priority: the protection of the most

vulnerable group in societies, our children. I am deeply

convinced that a far-sighted policy, both internal and

external, should be geared to the well-being of future

generations. We, the statesmen, diplomats and decision

makers of 185 nations, meeting in this Assembly, bear an

enormous responsibility to formulate future-oriented

policies in the service of young citizens on our planet.

These include a fundamental principle. Our children must

live childhood in peace, freedom, prosperity and security,

free of abuse, violence and exploitation.

Millions of children and juveniles are exploited

worldwide, their basic human rights denied in many ways.

A global coalition must be forged to fight the abuse of

children, in particular sexual exploitation, the despicable

phenomenon of child soldiers and child labour.

The European Union supports the International

Labour Organization draft convention on child labour.

The involvement of children in armed conflict and its

disastrous consequences require particular attention and

action by the international community. I call upon all

States and parties to conflicts to respect existing

international standards, to stop the use of children as

combatants and to fully support the work of the

Secretary-Generalâs Special Representative for Children

in Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu.

8

Sexual exploitation of children is one of the most

abhorrent phenomena of our time. The European Union

puts special emphasis on combating child prostitution and

child pornography. This includes the spread of child

pornography on the Internet. New information technologies

create new challenges. But that is why, more than ever, we

have to prohibit the production, dissemination and

possession of child pornography in all its forms — print,

audio, electronic media and video. Many countries have

already enacted such legislation nationally. But only a

worldwide ban on child pornography will be effective. In

this context, we hope that the optional protocol on the sale

of children, child prostitution and child pornography can be

finalized in the near future.

Legislative action has to be complemented by

improved cooperation between national and international

law enforcement and judicial authorities. I appeal to

Governments, the United Nations, non-governmental

organizations and private business — including online

services and Internet service providers — to join efforts in

a crusade against child abuse. For every day we fail to do

so, the innocent children of our world pay a terrible price.

Human rights, good and democratic governance and

the rule of law have moved to centre stage in promoting

peace, security and sustainable development. Respect for

and promotion of human rights have become a crucial

component of Union policies. They play a significant role

in contractual relations with third countries, in development

cooperation and in the common foreign and security policy.

The fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights and the five-year implementation review

of the Vienna Declaration should provide an opportunity for

a critical assessment of the progress made by all States.

The Council of the European Union, in commemorating this

anniversary on 10 December this year in Vienna, will send

a strong signal to further strengthen the United Nations

human rights programme, in particular the Office of the

High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The European Union will continue to work towards

the full integration of human rights, as well as a gender

perspective, into all activities of the United Nations system.

We hope that the adoption of the human rights defenders

declaration will send a strong message of support to human

rights activists worldwide. The European Union welcomes

the progress on a draft protocol to the Convention on the

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,

and a draft protocol to the Convention against Torture. We

hope that the respective Working Groups can complete their

work next year.

I would like to stress our strong interest in

cooperating with other Governments and civil society to

improve the human rights situation in all parts of the

world. To this end, the Union supports a wide range of

projects and programmes in the field of human rights, the

rule of law and electoral assistance. We will also work

for the complete abolition of the death penalty. In the

meantime, we shall call for a moratorium on all

executions worldwide.

The international community is confronted with an

increasing number of new and more diverse forms of

conflict, which often turn violent. Apart from taking

measures of operational prevention, which address the

consequences of conflicts and range from preventive

diplomacy to all forms of peaceful settlement of disputes

and the preventive deployment of forces, we have to

concentrate on the root causes, such as disrespect for

minorities. We therefore need a pro-active policy,

focusing on preventing the outbreak of violence at an

early stage.

Early warning is a key element of a comprehensive

strategy of conflict prevention and a prerequisite for any

further action. Finally, post-conflict rehabilitation has to

be more comprehensive and coordinated to address the

wider issues of humanitarian assistance, reconstruction

and respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of

law. The European Union firmly supports United Nations

efforts to strengthen its conflict-prevention and crisis-

management capacity.

We are deeply committed to the primary role of the

United Nations in the maintenance of international peace

and security and to the core functions of United Nations

peacekeeping operations. This strong support is reflected

in the facts: 4,500 troops and policemen from European

Union countries serve in United Nations peacekeeping

operations, which is one third of United Nations

peacekeeping personnel; thousands more men and women

from the European Union have served and are serving in

United Nations-mandated operations such as the

Stabilization Force in Bosnia; and our financial

contribution represents almost 40 per cent of the United

Nations peacekeeping budget.

We welcome the increasingly multidimensional

nature of peacekeeping operations, which poses new

challenges to the average peacekeeper in the field.

Peacekeeping today encompasses not only military tasks

but a variety of other functions, such as civilian police

activities, humanitarian assistance, demining, disarmament

measures, demobilization, reintegration of former soldiers,

9

enhancing and monitoring respect for human rights and, last

but not least, public information. At United Nations

Headquarters, this requires a strong Department of

Peacekeeping Operations which is able to fulfil its functions

effectively. In the wake of the decision by the General

Assembly to reduce progressively the number of posts filled

by personnel on loan, we strongly underline that the

Departmentâs expertise and gains of recent years must be

retained.

The European Union is gravely concerned about the

increasing security threat to United Nations personnel in the

field, not least to unarmed military observers and civilian

personnel. Bearing in mind the responsibility of the United

Nations and Member States towards those participating in

United Nations peacekeeping operations, we wish to recall

the obligation of host countries and parties to conflicts to

ensure the safety of these operations.

I would like to express our admiration and gratitude to

all the men and women who serve under the banner of the

United Nations in peace operations around the globe. They

show remarkable courage, motivation and idealism.

Likewise, I wish to express my deep sympathy to the

families of United Nations personnel who have lost their

lives in the service of peace.

The European Union attaches the utmost importance

to progress in the areas of disarmament, arms control and

non-proliferation as a key element in the maintenance of

peace and the strengthening of security. In this respect, the

Union wishes to reiterate its deep concern about the grave

threat to international peace and security posed by the

nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan in May this

year. The Union has called on both countries to adhere to

international non-proliferation regimes, in particular by

signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as it

stands. The Union strongly urges India and Pakistan to

refrain from nuclear tests and from the development or

deployment of nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable

missiles. Likewise, we call on both countries to engage in

a substantive dialogue with each other and to agree on

confidence-building measures.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons is the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation

regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of

nuclear disarmament. We are committed to the early entry

into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

and welcome the recent ratifications by several countries.

We call upon all States which have not yet done so to

accede to it, without any change. The conclusion of a fissile

material cut-off treaty will constitute a significant

contribution to non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.

We warmly welcome the fact that all impediments to

starting such negotiations finally have been overcome, and

we are looking forward to contributing to the substantive

negotiations. We continue to believe that the systematic

and progressive efforts by nuclear-weapon States to

reduce nuclear weapons need to be intensified and

pursued with determination.

Biological weapons pose grave dangers. It is

shocking that they can also be produced by non-State

actors. Therefore, the European Union gives priority to

strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons

Convention. We strive for the successful conclusion of

the negotiations on a legally binding protocol establishing

a verification and compliance regime in 1999. I would

also like to underline our commitment to the universality

and the full and effective implementation of the Chemical

Weapons Convention, a landmark in the disarmament

process.

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to the

goal of totally eliminating anti-personnel landmines

worldwide and welcomes the opening for signature of the

Ottawa Convention. We are pleased that the number of

signatories and ratifications is rising steadily and that the

Convention will enter into force on 1 March 1999. The

fact that the required number of 40 ratifications was

reached so quickly underlines the importance that the

international community attaches to this endeavour. The

European Union, being the major donor to anti-mine

activities, is contributing significantly to solving the

problems caused by those weapons.

A serious challenge to the international community

is raised by the combination of internal conflicts and the

proliferation of small arms. This issue requires a multi-

pronged response. The Union, for its part, has adopted a

code of conduct on arms exports and has thereby set high

common standards. Moreover, we are currently engaged

in the implementation of the European Union programme

for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in

conventional arms. Under this programme, we will assist

third countries in preventing and combating illicit

trafficking in arms, and we will also assist affected

countries.

As we approach the new millennium, nearly a

quarter of the worldâs people — foremost among them

women and children — continue to live in absolute

poverty, while almost a third more are very poor. While

the blight of poverty thus continues to challenge the

international community, recent decades have also shown

10

that progress in the reduction of poverty is possible. The

goal of poverty eradication, through sustained growth and

economic and social development, must be placed at the

centre of international development cooperation.

Poverty has many dimensions and needs to be tackled

in a gender-sensitive and comprehensive way within the

context of sustainable development, based on the

interdependence and mutually reinforcing nature of

economic development, social development and

environmental protection. The European Union therefore

attaches great importance to an integrated and coordinated

follow-up to global conferences. While the first

responsibility lies with Governments, the United Nations

system, as the global framework for international

cooperation, has a key role to play in supporting and

coordinating national efforts.

A new global partnership between developing

countries, developed countries, multilateral institutions and

civil society, with emphasis put on local ownership and

complementarity of efforts, must be forged in order to

achieve people-centred sustainable development. The strong

commitment of the Union to such a global partnership is

based on its unique position as the worldâs largest provider

of development assistance.

Among the various frameworks, the present Lomé

Convention, which will expire in February 2000, remains

essential. During the upcoming negotiations on a successor,

the European Union will aim at strengthening its

partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and

the Pacific. Building on the experience gained so far, the

aim is to develop a modern and efficient framework for

cooperation in order to keep the relationship between the

Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries

strong and prominent in the twenty-first century. I am

convinced that cooperation in the context of the Lomé

Convention will make an effective contribution to

eradicating poverty and integrating the African, Caribbean

and Pacific countries into our worldwide economic system.

We are committed to sustainable development as the

overarching principle of national policy and international

cooperation in our policies. Recognizing the central role of

a healthy environment in quality of life, the European

Union attaches great importance to reform of the United

Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United

Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT). We

would welcome more coordination, focus and efficiency in

these areas. The Kyoto Protocol, in which the member

States of the European Union committed themselves to a

reduction of 8 per cent in greenhouse gases, constitutes an

important step towards sustainable development. As

developed countries, we are prepared to take the lead in

combating climate change. The European Community and

its member States are determined to translate the

commitments made at Kyoto into concrete actions and

achievements.

In the context of sustainable development, population

issues are of particular concern. They directly relate to

human health and the quality of life. Over the coming

decades, population size and age structure will be

important factors interacting with economic development

and the environment in all parts of the world. It is

therefore very timely that a special session of the General

Assembly will be convened next year to review and

appraise the implementation of the Programme of Action

of the International Conference on Population and

Development, held in Cairo in 1994.

The fight against drugs is a major priority in the

policy of the European Union. The recent special session

of the General Assembly on the world drug problem was

an important step in the international effort to counter the

global scourge of drug abuse. I should like to pay tribute

to the Executive Director of the United Nations Drug

Control Programme (UNDCP), Pino Arlacchi, and all

others involved, for the excellent preparation of the

session. Political leaders unanimously endorsed a series of

important documents, including a Political Declaration,

several action plans, time-frames and a number of

concrete measures.

We welcome the balanced, integrated and gender-

sensitive anti-drug strategy adopted by the special session.

Our new commitments embrace efforts on both the supply

and the demand side, constituting equal parameters of the

drug-control equation. In particular, we look forward to

the elaboration of an operational action programme on

demand reduction. We from the European Union fully

support an effective and rapid follow-up and

implementation programme of the outcome of the special

session.

In the light of the important new and extensive

mandates in the field of international drug control, the

donor base of UNDCP must be broadened. The European

Union will continue to support the valuable work of

UNDCP, the international lead agency in the follow-up to

the special session.

The fight against organized crime — and the work

of the United Nations Centre for International Crime

Prevention — is of foremost importance. In this context

11

we welcome closer cooperation between UNDCP and the

Crime Prevention Centre in order to enhance the synergy of

these programmes. The danger which transnational

organized crime poses to the world community by creeping

into many aspects of our societies must be met by effective

international measures. Therefore, we support the

elaboration of a convention against transnational organized

crime and are pleased about the constructive and productive

spirit of the preparatory meeting in Buenos Aires.

The horrible bomb attacks in Africa and Northern

Ireland have brought terrorism back to the forefront of

international concern. The General Assembly, setting norms

and standards for the fight against terrorism, has passed a

number of resolutions and adopted no fewer than 11 anti-

terrorism conventions. The Sixth Committee is currently

negotiating a convention on the suppression of acts of

nuclear terrorism. Its early finalization would signal the

determination of the international community to relentlessly

pursue terrorists. Only through concerted action can we win

the battle against terrorists. The more countries join in this

effort, the fewer the safe havens where terrorists can run or

hide.

The successful completion of the Conference for the

establishment of an International Criminal Court is an

achievement of historic dimensions. The European Union

fully endorses the outcome of the Rome Conference and the

Statute, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority

of participating States. This Statute lays the foundation for

an effective and credible Court as an institution to fight

impunity for the most heinous crimes and to deter, once

and for all, their commission, thereby contributing to the

global advancement of peace and democracy. This session

of the General Assembly must adopt the appropriate

decisions to make the Court a reality. The European Union

stands ready to do its utmost to contribute to the

accomplishment of these tasks.

As in the past, the European Union describes its

relations with third countries, and its position on areas of

conflict throughout the world, in a memorandum that is

circulated as an integral part of this address. The

memorandum is a useful compendium of the common

foreign and security policy of the Union and of relevant

Community policies. I will highlight just a few positions.

We are extremely concerned at the dramatic escalation

of tension in Kosovo. Hundreds of people have been killed,

more than 250,000 refugees have been forced to leave their

homes as a result of armed clashes, and the threat of a

humanitarian catastrophe is becoming ever more real. The

primary responsibility for the devastating situation rests

with the Serb and Yugoslav authorities, since their police

and military operations have led to consequences for the

civilian population that are out of any justifiable

proportion. Therefore, it is up to President Slobodan

Milosevic to order a halt to all repressive actions against

the civilian population in Kosovo. At the same time, the

Union expects that all parties concerned reject all forms

of violence.

The Union, together with humanitarian organizations,

has started a series of projects in order to create

favourable conditions for a return process for refugees

before the winter comes. A complete cessation of armed

activities and a progressive withdrawal of Serb forces is

needed now to make people confident enough to return to

their homes. The European Union urges the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia authorities to allow unimpeded

access to all areas of Kosovo for humanitarian

organizations and observers and international forensic

experts.

Negotiations between both sides, with international

involvement, should take place as soon as possible to

agree upon confidence-building measures and to define a

new status for Kosovo. However, without a cessation of

the ongoing Serb offensive, an end to further bloodshed

and a significant improvement of the catastrophic

humanitarian situation, a meaningful dialogue cannot be

started. The European Union hopes that progress towards

democracy, which is a prerequisite for the resolution of

the conflict, can be achieved in the Federal Republic of

Yugoslavia. The final objective of the reform process

should be the full integration of the Federal Republic of

Yugoslavia into the international community.

The Union remains fully committed to the

implementation of the Dayton Accords, to political and

economic stabilization, the return of refugees and the

strengthening of civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The past year has seen substantial progress due to strong

pressure by the international community. We hope that

the recent elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina will

contribute to the reconciliation of the ethnic communities

and to the construction of a new civil society.

With regard to Albania, the European Union is

seriously concerned at the recent outbreak of violence

following the assassination of a leading politician of an

opposition party. The European Union calls on all

Albanian political parties to adopt a constructive attitude

to solving the crisis by peaceful means through political

consultations. It urges the parties to renounce any strategy

of confrontation and to avoid fighting and violent

12

demonstrations. Further violence will make national

reconciliation even more difficult.

We sincerely hope that the instability still widespread

in Albania will soon be overcome, in particular by

overcoming the current political difficulties caused by

hatred, mutual mistrust and various actions by both the

Government and the main opposition party. The Union

reminds all political factions of their obligation not to

deepen the political divide, but rather to develop a spirit of

cooperation.

The Union will continue its assistance according to

progress made in the political dialogue as well as in the

stabilization of institutions, especially in the field of police

action.

The European Union stresses once again that the status

quo in Cyprus is not acceptable. It reaffirms its strong

support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his

Special Representative aimed at a negotiated and lasting

solution to the Cyprus question, respecting the sovereignty,

independence, territorial integrity and unity of the country

in accordance with the relevant Security Council

resolutions, with the goal of a bizonal, bicommunal

federation on Cyprus.

The Union started accession negotiations with the

Republic of Cyprus on 31 March of this year. The

accession process and progress towards a political solution

should reinforce one another. Accession to the Union

should benefit all communities and help to bring about

peace and reconciliation on the island.

In this context, we welcome the appointment of the

new United Nations Deputy Special Representative, Dame

Ann Hercus.

The European Union remains deeply concerned at the

continuing standstill in the Middle East peace process,

which constitutes a threat to the stability of the region. The

Union considers the Middle East peace process to be the

only path to security and peace for Israel, the Palestinians

and the neighbouring States. A just and durable solution is

in the fundamental interest of the European Union.

Our approach was reaffirmed at the meeting of the

European Council held in Cardiff in June 1998. We

contribute actively to efforts to promote the peace process,

providing not only substantial economic support but also

adding our political weight to the search for a solution. It

is of the utmost importance to restore trust and confidence

between the parties. The pillars of a solution continue to be

in the principles agreed at Madrid and Oslo, especially

land for peace, the full implementation of existing

commitments of the Israeli/Palestinian Interim Agreement

and the relevant Security Council resolutions.

We call on Israel to recognize the right of the

Palestinians to self-determination without excluding the

option of a state of their own. On the other side, we call

upon the Palestinians to reaffirm their commitment to

Israelâs right to live within recognized and safe borders.

We also reiterate our opposition to Israeli settlements in

occupied Arab territories and to other unilateral measures,

such as the changing of the status of Jerusalem. More

than any other issues, such acts, as well as the continued

expansion of settlements, undermine the Palestiniansâ

confidence in the peace process.

The European Union will continue to provide

assistance to the Palestinian people. The positive

development of the Palestinian economy is a precondition

for political stability.

We want to express our concern at the lack of

progress on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, and we

underline the need for a continuing effort in order to

achieve a solution.

The Union supports the efforts of the United States

to relaunch the negotiations. We consider that every

avenue should be explored in order to restore a spirit of

mutual trust and constructive negotiations. In this respect,

we think that the recent proposals put forward by France

and Egypt, as well as by our European Union Special

Envoy, should be studied positively.

Africa, in particular sub-Saharan Africa, stands at the

crossroads once more. In his landmark report (A/52/871)

entitled “The causes of conflict and the promotion of

durable peace and sustainable development in Africa”,

Secretary-General Kofi Annan provided us with a clear

analysis and a framework for a comprehensive policy.

The European Union is deeply concerned about the

terrible toll that recent and current conflicts have taken,

especially on innocent civilians. In spite of important

regional and subregional efforts, the instability appears to

be spreading, and creating a downward spiral that simply

has to be stopped. I therefore urge the international

community to continue to complement African efforts to

solve their problems, as it has done by establishing the

United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic

(MINURCA) and the United Nations Observer Mission in

Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL). The Union would welcome

further development of regional and subregional

13

cooperation and integration among African countries. We

hope that the summit between the European Union and the

Southern African Development Community in Vienna in

November will make an important contribution.

The Secretary-Generalâs report rightly focuses on the

importance of creating an environment in which durable

peace is sustained and economic growth promoted.

Recognizing that peace and security are indispensable

preconditions, we emphasize the need for good governance,

including respect for human rights and the rule of law.

These values are essential pillars of the European Unionâs

development policy, which over several decades has been

centred on a genuine partnership with Africa.

The European Union is particularly concerned about

the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

and the wider dangers for the region as a whole from the

escalation of the conflict. In this respect, we hope that the

European Union Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region,

Mr. Aldo Ajello, will continue to work together with the

representatives of the Secretary-General of the United

Nations.

We urge all the parties involved in the conflict of the

Democratic Republic of the Congo to respect human rights

and humanitarian law and to abstain from acts of violence

against civilians. We welcome African initiatives to find a

peaceful solution to this conflict, which can be solved only

through a negotiated settlement acceptable to all Congolese.

This would allow the Democratic Republic of the Congo

and other countries of the region to find the peace and

stability that are prerequisites for their development. The

Union remains ready to help this political dialogue and to

support any negotiation scheme obtaining the consent of all

parties involved, inter alia, through the assistance of our

Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region. A regional

conference could be useful at a later stage to consider the

relevant aspects and to strengthen regional cooperation.

We are determined to play an effective role in efforts

to stop the fighting and restore peace, stability and respect

for human rights in Afghanistan. We are committed to

bringing about a sustainable peace in Afghanistan, putting

an end to foreign intervention, and encouraging intra-

Afghan dialogue, in particular through support for the

central role of the United Nations. The European Union

attaches special importance to the fight against illegal drugs

and terrorism in Afghanistan.

We remain gravely concerned at the persistent human

rights violations and breaches of humanitarian law in

Afghanistan. We denounce the continuing discrimination

against girls and women in that country. We strongly urge

all factions, and in particular the Taliban, to recognize,

protect and promote human rights. And we strongly urge

them to end discriminatory policies and to recognize,

protect and promote equal rights and dignity for men and

women.

Non-governmental organizations will be able to

return to Kabul only when the authorities in Afghanistan

have met the necessary conditions.

We reiterate our strong concern for the security of

United Nations personnel, other related personnel and

personnel of non-governmental organizations in

Afghanistan, and we recall the responsibility of all

factions to ensure safety, security and freedom of

movement. We condemn the recent attack against two

staff members of the United Nations Special Mission to

Afghanistan (UNSMA) and the killing of Iranian

diplomats in northern Afghanistan, and we demand an

urgent investigation into these atrocious acts. We call on

the Taliban to cooperate fully in ensuring the safe release

of the remaining diplomats and other Iranian nationals

missing in Afghanistan.

We have been deeply involved in the electoral

process in Cambodia, especially in voter registration and

poll observation, dispatching some 200 election observers

who cooperated exceptionally well with the United

Nations and other observer groups in the Joint

International Observer Group.

We call upon all political forces in Cambodia to

seize this opportunity to work together, to the fullest

extent possible, towards national reconciliation, and

express the hope that, with the elections, the foundation

for the future well-being and prosperity of the people of

Cambodia has been laid. Return to political normalcy will

encourage the Union to consider new assistance

programmes to help Cambodia in its economic recovery.

The Union notes with satisfaction the results

achieved at the August meeting in New York, under the

auspices of Mr. Kofi Annan, between the Foreign

Ministers of Indonesia and Portugal on the question of

East Timor. We commend the Secretary-General and his

Personal Representative for their efforts in this regard.

We welcome the Ministersâ agreement to enter into

in-depth negotiations on issues related to the question of

East Timor, addressed in the final communiqué of the

meeting, without prejudice to their basic positions of

principle. We hope that these negotiations will lead to a

14

just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution

in the near future, respecting the rights and legitimate

aspirations of the people, in accordance with the resolutions

of the General Assembly and with the principles enshrined

in the United Nations Charter. We welcome the prospect of

the closer involvement of the East Timorese in the search

for a solution.

I am deeply concerned at the continuing violations of

human rights and lack of progress towards democracy in

Burma/Myanmar. We strongly deplore the repressive

actions of the Burmese authorities, including the arrest of

several hundred members of the opposition. We call upon

the State Peace and Development Council once again to

bring human rights violations to an end and to enter into a

substantive dialogue with opposition leaders, especially and

including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of

ethnic minorities, in order to establish democratic rule in

accordance with the will of the people as expressed in

democratic elections held in 1990. The Union seeks to

cooperate closely with other countries, in particular in the

region, to resolve the worrying situation in the country.

Although the challenges of the twenty-first century

will be different from those we have been used to dealing

with in past decades, we are convinced that the United

Nations will become more indispensable than ever as the

forum for global cooperation. What we have to do now is

to make our world Organization fit for the next century.

The Secretary-Generalâs reform programme is excellent.

The reform of our world Organization is in the interest

of all Member States. Of course, reform is not a cost-

cutting exercise alone, but an ongoing process which will

ultimately lead to a substantial improvement of the work

done in the United Nations family. This process will help

the Organization to better focus on the fulfilment of

mandates and on the improvement of programme delivery.

Consequently, the European Union will continue vigorously

to support reform based on the proposals of the Secretary-

General and the decisions of the General Assembly.

As far as the organization and methods of work of

intergovernmental bodies are concerned, and especially of

the General Assembly, we attach particular importance to

the implementation of the reforms already agreed upon. We

would welcome further improvements, particularly the

streamlining of agendas, the reduction of duplication and

better coordination between bodies dealing with similar

issues.

The European Union firmly believes that the General

Assembly should concentrate on implementing the

significant agreements reached in some working groups of

the General Assembly and at the major United Nations

conferences. Carefully wrought compromises that allowed

adoption by consensus were the result of a great amount

of time and energy invested by all Member States.

The European Union is firmly committed to finding

solutions to the United Nations financial crisis.

Continuing high levels of unpaid assessments are

undermining the financial stability and liquidity, and

therefore the purpose and goal, of the United Nations.

This places a heavy and unfair burden upon troop-

contributing countries. The member States of the

European Union have consistently honoured their

financial obligations towards the United Nations. They

pay their contributions in full, on time and without

conditions. A sound financial basis requires that all

Member States fulfil their Charter obligations. The United

States cannot be exempt from such obligations.

As a permanent member of the Security Council, the

United States has a special responsibility towards the

United Nations. We express our sincere hope that

Washington will soon settle its arrears and live up to the

legitimate expectations of Member States of the United

Statesâ role in the world Organization.

The European Union has grown from 100 million

people to 400 million today. With only 8 per cent of the

world population, the Union provides for 60 per cent of

development and 50 per cent of humanitarian assistance.

Eighty per cent of international aid to Russia and the

republics of the former Soviet Union, and 50 per cent of

the assistance to the Palestinian territories are paid by the

European Union. Forty per cent of the reconstruction help

to Bosnia and Herzegovina come from the member States

of the European Union. We are the strongest supporter of

the United Nations. Our contributions account for 36 per

cent of the regular budget and 39 per cent of the

peacekeeping budget. The Union is ready to use its

political weight for the benefit of the entire international

community, in particular developing countries.

Let me conclude by reaffirming the European

Unionâs deep commitment to the purposes and principles

of the United Nations Charter. We will continue to

support strongly the United Nations and the Secretary-

General in carrying out the key objectives: the

maintenance of international peace and security, economic

and social progress, and the promotion of human rights

and democratic freedoms.

15

The message of the European Union to the United

Nations is clear. At the threshold of the new millennium,

we face common threats and challenges. We must join

forces to harness the benefits and diminish the risks of

globalization. We must form a global alliance for human

security. Global cooperation, as understood by the European

Union, means human solidarity to ensure the survival of our

planet and safeguard the future of coming generations.