Summary: May 20, 2002: Statement on behalf of the European Union by H.E. Mr. Inocencio F. Arias, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations at the Security Council meeting on East Timor (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries belonging to the European Economic Area Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
We are gathered to celebrate the birth of a new independent nation. Today in Dili representatives of more than 80 countries have witnessed how the United Nations Secretary-General handed power to the elected representatives of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.
We join the people of East Timor in their joyful celebration and commend their constant efforts, which have finally been rewarded. The history of most nations is fraught with tragedy but also with success. In their path to independence the East Timorese have learnt to persevere. Reconciliation should now be the leit-motiv for all people linked to East Timor, both within and outside the new nation. The people that have overcome civil strife and destruction must advance not through oblivion, but
by remembering and overcoming their differences. This effort should receive the sincere support of neighbouring countries and of the rest of the International Community.
Mr. President,
Just over three years ago an agreement between Indonesia and Portugal was reached on the consultation of the East Timorese about their future. From that moment onward the role of the United Nations was essential in the development of the painful but ultimately succesful path that led to independence. We express our gratitude to the UN Secretary-General and to his Special Representative for East Timor, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, who has wisely led the UN effort in the daunting task of helping
to build a new nation practically from scratch. All the men and women who have served in the UN Missions in East Timor, as well as the personnel of all the UN agencies, various governmental institutions and NGOs, equally deserve our gratitude and admiration. The new Special Representative, Ambassador Sharma, will also receive the full support of the European Union in his new responsibilities.
Mr. President,
The General Assembly recently passed a resolution withdrawing East Timor from the list of non-autonomous territories. This step illustrates the fact that the new State will be fully responsible for its international relations. In the case of East Timor this is a fundamental issue for its future. We welcome the steps that Indonesia and East Timor are taking to improve their relations, including the recent meeting of the two Presidents in Jakarta and President Megawati´s decision to attend
today´s independence ceremonies. We trust that these visits signal a shared willingness to establish a mutually profitable relationship in the future. Many issues remain unresolved, not least that of bringing to justice those responsible for the 1999 violence. We urge Indonesia, together with East Timor, to resolve these remaining matters between the two countires which, importantly, includes border delineation.
We also want to acknowledge once more the crucial role played by the countries that have supported the United Nations effort, committing resources and important numbers of troops to this aim.
The European Union has also made a considerable effort to support the nascent State, and will continue to be present in East Timor through the aid provided by the European Community as well as by individual Member States. Many EU nationals have participated in the succesive UN Missions and they will be present in the new UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) .
The EU welcomes the stated commitment of the independent East Timor to the protection of human rights. In this context we point out the important stance against the death penalty through its prohibition in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.
The EU commends the leaders of East Timor for the way in which they have participated in the process of nation building that is achieved today. The people of East Timor have shown great political maturity, choosing to support Democracy as the only way to achieve peace and progress. We reiterate our congratulations for the successful holding of elections for the first Constituent Assembly in August 2001 and the first President of East Timor in april 2002, and trust that their high standard of
ample peaceful participation will be applied in the future.
Mr. President,
In spite of the achievements of these last three years, we are concious that all is not won. As the new State develops and as UNMISET gradually scales down, the International Community assistance will need to be readapted while remaining concious that East Timor will continue to have great development needs. The EU and its Member States will continue to stand firmly behind East Timor in this next phase of its development. Public administration, the judicial system, law enforcement and defence
are some of the main areas that will require international support.
The EU welcomes Resolution 1410 adopted on 17 May, whereby UNMISET was created. We trust that the new Mission will draw from the experience of its predecessor in helping the East Timorese build a democratic, viable and stable country at peace with its neighbours.
Mr. President,
Very soon the Democratic Republic of East Timor shall join us in the United Nations as a new Member State. It will be a new member in a new century but will certainly not be a new comer. The UN should now regard with pride the succesful achievement of a multilateral effort in which very diferent people from very different origins have participated with success.
Thank you.
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