EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding Commission

Statement by Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, on the Peacebuilding Commission at the United Nations General Assembly 60th Session, New York

Mr President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

Today is a historic day. We have reached final agreement, without a vote, on the Peacebuilding Commission, and in doing so, have achieved a major milestone of the Summit follow-up process.

Mr President, we should all be proud of this success. Each of us has worked hard over the past several months to find this agreement. Each of us has had to make concessions. Each of us has had to find creative solutions to difficult issues. But no-one, Mr President, has worked harder than you, and your team, and our colleagues Ambassadors Loj and Mahiga and their teams. Without your collective efforts - your diplomacy, patience and willingness to listen to all concerns - we would not be here today. Nor would we be here without the co-operation of members of this Assembly. The credit lies with you and with all of us. May I also add that we have taken note and welcome what you said in your presentation of the resolution today.

Mr President, we have established the Peacebuilding Commission to make a difference. As it starts its work, this must surely be the objective of all who serve on the Commission. The European Union has strongly supported the concept of the Peacebuilding Commission throughout this process. It remains our hope and our expectation that the Peacebuilding Commission will change things for the better for people in war-torn societies.

Mr President, with an effective Peacebuilding Commission in place, the UN will be more able to help some of the most vulnerable countries on earth. This is an achievement worthy of this Summit and anniversary year. Our congratulations to you and the Co-Chairs for helping us to accomplish this goal today.

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• EUHR Solana welcomes UN Peacebuilding Commission (21/12/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding Commission (6/12/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding Commission (2/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding Commission (21/10/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding Commission (7/10/2005)
• Support to peacebuilding: examples of EU action (12/9/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Peacebuilding (26/5/2005)