Summary: August 5, 2004: ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION EXPLANATION OF VOTE BY MR. ARJAN HAMBURGER, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NETHERLANDS TO THE UNITED NATIONS - AGENDA ITEM 59 - Strengthening of the United Nations system - GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania, 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, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to reaffirm the EU's full commitment to an effective multilateral system with a strong United Nations at its core. Effective multilateralism is one of the two pillars on which the Security Strategy of the European Union, adopted in December 2003 by our Heads of State and Government, is founded. The fundamental framework for international relations is the United Nations Charter. Further strengthening the United Nations, equipping it to fulfil its responsibilities and
to act effectively, is a European priority.
The central role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and the promotion of international cooperation is a concern to us all. Strengthening that central role is a mutual goal and a common responsibility. More than anything, decisions in this area should build on this communality of interests and reflect a common approach. We therefore all the more regret that we have had to abstain on the resolution just adopted, in the absence of such an approach.
The reasons for our abstention are threefold and concern timing, process and substance.
On timing.
As the EU has indicated from the very beginning, we believe that the present resolution comes too soon. We understand that the initiators wished first and foremost to address concerns over recent political events and the implications for the multilateral system. Those concerns are shared by many. They indeed need to be addressed. As the Secretary-General said in his opening statement to the General Assembly at the beginning of this session, we will have to ask ourselves whether the framework
that was created in 1945 is still up to its tasks, or whether radical changes are needed. He added that in doing so, we should not shy away from questions about the adequacy, and effectiveness, of the rules and instruments at our disposal.
Debate about these very serious questions has only just started. We expect important input from the High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, which the SG has established, precisely to look into these and other questions. This is not to say that we can sit back and wait for the Panel's report and the SG's recommendations based on it. On the contrary, it is our obligation to participate and contribute to the best of our abilities. We will all have to contribute to the discussions in
the run-up to the 2005 high level meeting, which will review and decide on the implementation of the Millennium Declaration, of the Millennium Development Goals and of the outcomes of the major UN conferences. Passing a resolution now without reflecting the outcome of that debate is in our view premature.
On process.
Notwithstanding our doubts with regard to the timing of the resolution, the EU has engaged actively and constructively in informal consultations. We would like to thank the Mission of Malaysia, and in particular Ambassador Radzi Rachman, for the time and effort invested in the informal meetings. We would also like to express appreciation for the amendments that have been accepted, and through which part of the text has become more balanced.
At the same time, we cannot but regret the fact that there has been no occasion for actual and textual negotiations. In real negotiations, delegations may find that although their stated positions differ, the interests behind these positions do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive and that eventually satisfactory results can be achieved. This has been a missed opportunity.
Finally, Mr. President, on substance.
As said, we appreciate some of the changes that have been made to the text, such as the recognition of the work of the Panel and the inclusion of a reference to preventing and ending genocide. Nevertheless, some more fundamental problems have remained for the EU, which have contributed to the EU's decision to abstain.
Let me mention the 4 most prominent ones:
1. By reaffirming and underlining certain principles, without mentioning others, the text contains an imbalance. For example, emphasis is being put on principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of nations. The EU acknowledges and accepts those principles. However, there is a flipside to this, and that is the responsibility that states have vis- à -vis- their own populations. We feel that this notion could and should have been adequately reflected in the
text.
2. On human rights, the EU is of the opinion that constructive dialogue is a means, but not the exclusive means of protecting and promoting human rights, as the text seems to imply.
3. On the use of force and other measures, the Charter contains provisions allowing the use of force and the exercise of pressure and coercion under certain conditions. These are listed in Chapter VII and in particular in article 51. Without a reference to those provisions, the text in our view is not complete.
4. On disarmament, the EU is of the opinion that the text as adopted remains unbalanced, with most emphasis on nuclear disarmament, and non-proliferation mentioned only in passing, without an explicit reference to Security Council resolution 1540.
Mr. President,
Again, the European Union feels regret and even frustration that it had to abstain on a resolution on such an important issue. Nonetheless, the EU is fully committed to continue our joint efforts in building a United Nations that can deal more effectively with peace, security and development, thereby indeed strengthening the UN's central role in matters of common and global concern.
Thank you.
*Croatia continues to be part of the Stablisation and Association Process.
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