Summary: February 8, 2005: Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, met with William Lacy Swing, UN Special Representative for the DRC (Brussels)
Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), met today with the United Nations Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mr. William Lacy Swing.
The meeting offered an occasion to discuss the state of play of the transition process in the DRC. The High Representative raised with some concern delays in the implementation of the transition agenda. 2005 will be a critical year for the DRC and tangible progress was needed in the run-up of the electoral process. The recently held inter-institutional seminar in Kinshasa was a useful mean of reinvigorating the preparatory process but clear commitment of all Congolese actors was needed. Mr.
Swing informed about the role of the UN in the run-up to the elections and identified the remaining logistical and legislative obstacles.
The High Representative expressed his concern regarding the presence of ex FAR/Interahamwe and other armed militia in the east of the DRC and underlined the need for the disarmament and repatriation of foreign armed groups. Mr. Swing informed about the reinforced presence of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in Eastern Congo. Both sides welcomed in principle the African Union (AU) readiness to contribute in this field but stressed the need for close
co-ordination with MONUC and the Congolese authorities.
The High Representative emphasized that security sector reform is central for the DRC peace process. The EU is already supporting in the area of police integration through Community funds with the training of an integrated police unit (UPI) in Kinshasa to secure transitional institutions and the launching of an European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission for monitoring, mentoring and advice to the UPI.
In the margins of the meeting, the EU and MONUC also agreed on the practical modalities regarding the use by MONUC of the EU Satellite Centre in Torrejon, Spain. Upon proposal by the High Representative the Council agreed, at the end of last year, to open SATCEN capabilities for MONUC. This decision illustrates the EU's strong support for MONUC. Both sides expressed conviction that this will contribute substantially to the monitoring of the respect for the arms embargo and the movements of
armed groups in Eastern Congo.
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