Summary: July 23, 2003: Statement to the Security Council of the United Nations by H.E. Ambassador Marcello Spatafora, Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN, on behalf of the European Union. THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACTS (New York)
Mr. President
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, Iceland and Norway, declare that they align themselves with this statement.
The European Union unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism as criminal and remains deeply convinced that no terrorism is justifiable, irrespective of its motivations and objectives, forms and manifestation. The European Union, along with all its member states, is strongly committed to defeating this threat so that next generations can live in a safer and more peaceful world.
The need to fight against all kind of terrorist attacks gives us the opportunity to strongly reaffirm the importance we attach to those values which are the cornerstone of the European Union as well as of the vast majority of the international community: respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, humanitarian law, as well as the rule of law.
We believe that efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism must be conducted in full respect for our common values. In its internal anti-terrorist legislation, the European Union has set high standards for the protection of human rights, which facilitate social consensus and rallying around the cause.
Mr. President
The European Union recognizes and supports the central role of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism everywhere. In that regard, we wish to reaffirm the high priority attributed by the European Union to the signature and ratification by all member States of the 12 United Nations Conventions against terrorism in all its forms. The EU members and the acceding countries are now parties to the vast majority of these Conventions.
With the same firmness and decision we are backing the Counter Terrorism Committee, which, since it was established under resolution 1373, through its continued and consistent work, has provided the international community with a solid, valuable and shared basis to counteract terrorism.
Resolution 1456(2003) stresses the need for closer cooperation between the CTC and regional and sub-regional organizations in the fight against terrorism. As we have stated in the EU Report submitted at the Meeting of the CTC with international, regional and sub-regional organizations which took place in New York on 6 March 2003, the European Union has introduced a wide range of legislative and political measures in all the areas covered by resolution 1373.
Mr. President
The European Union works in close coordination with international, regional and sub-regional organizations and fora - such as the OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO, Latin America/the Caribbean, ASEM, ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum, Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Barcelona Process - supporting and participating in many of the counter-terrorism activities that are carried out within these frameworks. The EU actively collaborates with the United Nations and its main bodies operating in the field of
fighting terrorism and, at the same time, maintains its close co-operation with the relevant UN specialized Agencies. It is also following developments within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where negotiations are underway to review the 1998 Convention and Protocol on Maritime Terrorism.
Moreover with the aim of giving a substantive and effective support to third countries in implementing their commitments under the UN resolution 1373 and other international obligations, the EU has established a strategy for providing those countries with additional and streamlined projects of technical assistance. These have been specifically designed to help selected countries to fulfill their obligations under resolution 1373.
Mr. President
The fight against the financing of terrorism remains a top priority for the EU. We have increased our efforts and effectiveness in this field, focusing our attention on cutting financial flows and other forms of support for terrorist organizations. We are committed to strengthen internal procedures in order to prevent groups from obtaining or deviating funds that are directed towards charitable purposes.
Further work has been undertaken as regards the freezing of funds and economic resources in order to prevent terrorism funding. The legislation targeting Al Qaeda and the Taliban has been updated several times, so as to bring it in line with the amendments decided by the competent Sanctions Committee of the Security Council, as well as with the exceptions foreseen in resolution 1452 (2002).
The EU has continued to work in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to revise the 40 special Recommendations and to ensure full compliance with the 8 special Recommendations on terrorism financing. The EU will continue its support for the Financial Action Task Force, including its work to identify priority countries for technical assistance to combat the financing of terrorism.
The EU believes that special attention should be devoted to the possible links between terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking. We have to be aware that terrorist organizations may exploit flows of migration in order to penetrate borders, and disseminate their members so as to implement their criminal plans. A specific Council Decision has been adopted to face these problems by stressing the need for simultaneous investigation. The EU also recognizes the role of the Terrorism Prevention
Branch of the Centre for International Crime Prevention to strengthen the capabilities of the United Nations in the prevention of terrorism and to offer advice on the implementation of both the pertinent Security Council Resolutions and the UN legal instruments against terrorism.
Mr. President,
As it is stated in the conclusions reached at the European Council in Thessalonica, the European Union is fully aware that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The acquisition of WMD or related materials by terrorists would represent an additional threat to the international system with potentially uncontrollable consequences.
The EU is committed to further elaborate before the end of the year a coherent strategy to address the threat of proliferation, and to continue to develop and implement the EU Action Plan as a matter of priority. Our starting point will be a comprehensive and regularly updated threat analysis. Our approach will be guided by our commitment to uphold and implement the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements; our support for the multilateral institutions charged
respectively with verifying and upholding compliance with these treaties; our commitment to strong national and internationally-coordinated export controls; and our commitment to co-operate with the United States and other partners who share our objectives.
Thank you Mr. President.
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