EU Presidency Statement - Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations

Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations; Statement by Ambassador Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union.

Mr. Chairman,


I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

1. The European Union welcomes the report of the Secretary General on the implementation of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.
   
   
2. The European Union has always actively supported both, UN peacekeeping missions and UN mandated missions. We have participated in these operations with large numbers of troops, civilian police and other personnel from our Member States, throughout the world from the Balkans and the Middle East to Africa and Asia. We actively support peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, as well as other relevant activities throughout the world with significant political and financial means.
   
   
3. In recent years the peacekeeping personnel has been increasingly exposed to security threats, as the UN has frequently deployed its staff to carry out peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities in more hazardous areas. Therefore, the EU attaches a great importance to further enhancement of the security and safety of the peacekeeping personnel. In this regard, we support particularly the establishment and development of Joint Operation Centers and Joint Mission Analysis Centers, as key elements of an effective security system. Furthermore, we underline that the security and safety of the peacekeeping personnel is also the responsibility of host countries to peacekeeping operations.
   
   
4. The European Union remains committed to working with the UN in the field of crisis management. Since the signing of a "Joint Declaration on EU-UN co-operation in Crisis Management" in September 2003 the dialogue has intensified and first elements have been implemented. The EU looks forward to deepening and strengthening its co-operation with the UN in the field of crisis management.
   
   
5. On 27 December 2005 the USG Guéhenno asked the EU to consider the possibility of making available a deterrence force which could be deployed if necessary to the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the electoral period. At the moment, the EU is considering, in close co-operation with the UN, how best to provide support to the UN in this endeavour. The EU is determined to contribute to DRC stability. We have illustrated our commitment with two civilian missions in the framework of ESDP aimed at providing advice and assistance for the reform of the Security Sector.
   

   Mister Chairman,

   
   
6. We believe that in order for the deliberations in the C-34 to have real and lasting impact on the way in which UN peace keeping is being conducted, we need to prioritize and focus on important operational elements that can make a difference in the field. The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document urges to further develop proposals for enhanced rapidly deployable capacities to reinforce peacekeeping operations in crises. The EU stands ready to further discuss this issue in-depth.
   
   
7. At this year's session of the Special Committee, the European Union will focus on six priority areas which we consider to be the key issues in the area of UN Peacekeeping at this time: (1) Enhancing the UN's operational capacity, (2) Cooperation with Regional Organizations, (3) Peacebuilding in the context of Peacekeeping Operations, (4) Misconduct, (5) UN Peacekeeping Doctrine and (6) Reorganization of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. These priorities reflect the key issues raised in the report from the Secretary General.
   

   These priorities are further outlined in our position papers which will be made available to all members of the Committee.

   
   

   Mr. Chairman,

   
   Allow me now to elaborate on some of the key aspects of each of our six priorities addressed in our position papers.
   

   (1) Strengthening the UN's operational capacity

   
   
8. The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document supported "the efforts of the EU and other regional entities to develop capacities such as for rapid deployment, standby and bridging arrangements". The EU welcomes the approach of the Secretariat based on the development of "enhanced rapidly deployable military capabilities" which puts the emphasis on the use of regional arrangements in support of peacekeeping (as provided in 2003 by the EU in support of MONUC) and inter-mission cooperation and the further enhancement of UN Stand-by Arrangement System.
   
   
9. As the nature of conflicts has changed, so the United Nations peacekeeping response has evolved from security-focused tasks primarily involving military troops, to multidimensional peacekeeping missions mandated to carry out both peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks, involving a wide range of actors from the political/security community, including human rights and the rule of law, as well as the development and humanitarian communities. Although the UN has made good progress in recent years, coherence of the UN response remains a key area for improvement. We see the finalization of the development of the UN Integrated Mission Planning Process (IMPP) handbook in a timely manner as a crucial step in further improving the planning and execution of UN peacekeeping operations.
   

   (2) Cooperation with Regional Organizations

   
   

   Mr. Chairman

   
   
10. The development of peacekeeping and crisis management capacities should be mutually reinforcing rather than duplicative or competing. Cooperation in specific operations should rest on a case-by-case assessment of the organization best fit and most willing to cooperate with the UN. In that regard particular attention should be given to issues such as knowledge of the field and local acceptability of foreign forces. We support an increased role for the Secretariat in setting common standards and frameworks for cooperation with regard to complex peacekeeping operations and facilitating effective partnerships with regional organizations, in accordance with the Charter of the UN.
    
    The EU has developed a global approach to crisis management: one which draws simultaneously on both civilian and military instruments. The EU sees a wide scope for future complementary and combined efforts with the UN and other regional entities in the area of multidimensional peacekeeping. We look forward to a continued and intensified dialogue with the UN with a view to maximising the possibilities of employing existing high readiness forces.
    
    
11. The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document supported the development and implementation of a 10-year plan for capacity building with the African Union. The EU welcomes the AU resolve to tackle problems of insecurity and instability on the African continent. Over the past few years, the AU has sought to transform and further develop the African security architecture through the establishment of its Peace and Security Council, plans for a Panel of the Wise and a continental early warning system, as well as progress towards an African Stand-by Force. The EU is fully committed to supporting these efforts and is contributing funds from its African Peace Facility, in addition to financing on-going African peace operations, such as AMIS in Darfur and FOMUC in the Central African Republic. The EU Africa Strategy adopted last December is the concrete expression of our commitment to Africa. We are currently engaged in direct consultations with the AU in order to elaborate a joint implementation matrix for the Africa strategy, with a view to establishing institutional linkages and to defining a comprehensive operational agenda, including on peace and security. In this context we note with interest the proposal in the SG Report (A/60/640, para 31) to create within the DPKO a dedicated full-time capacity that could serve as a point of contact with the AU and other partners on matters related to AU peacekeeping. Furthermore it should be considered whether this new organizational entity could in future become the final focal point for all contacts between DPKO and Regional Organizations and other partners.
    

    (3) Peacebuilding in the context of Peacekeeping Operations

    
    

    Mr. Chairman

    
    
12. The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document recognized that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. For too long, the international community's efforts in peacebuilding have been marked by piecemeal and uncoordinated interventions, often lacking national ownership. The result is that about half of all post-conflict countries relapse into conflict within a decade. The international community has made some progress in recent years towards post-conflict strategies that are consistent with national priorities and better integrate political, security and development aspects.
    
    
13. Within the international community, DPKO is one of a number of major actors in post-conflict transition situations. It is mandated by the Security Council to undertake not only peacekeeping activities, but also certain elements of peacebuilding such as DDR, SSR, early re-establishment of courts and prisons, elections, human rights monitoring and to ensure gender mainstreaming in all these activities.
    
    
14. There is a need to distinguish between the strategic role of the Peacebuilding Commission and its Peacebuilding Support Office and the operational role, on the ground, of e.g. DPKO, UN agencies and Bretton Woods Institutions. The EU encourages the DPKO to work closely with the PBSO to ensure effective and realistic strategies for peacebuilding, while recognizing DPKO's ongoing operational lead in integrated planning.
    
    
15. In cases of modern complex peacekeeping operations which are mandated to address issues such as Rule of Law, Elections and Human Rights, etc. the idea to make use of civilian observers should be further explored.
    

    (4) Misconduct

    
    

    Mr. Chairman,

    
    
16. From the beginning the EU has supported the strong stance taken by the SG on this issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers. We strongly reiterate the need to ensure that victims of sexual exploitation are assisted appropriately and that perpetrators of sexual exploitation and abuse are brought to justice. All steps taken by the Secretariat to-date, such as the work on a revised Memorandum of Understanding for Troop Contributors, on the Concept for establishing a professional and independent investigative capacity in the OIOS and on a Victims Assistance Policy are highly welcome. Likewise, we strongly support the establishment of a sufficient number of Conduct and Discipline teams to meet the need for such a capacity in missions and favours the transformation of the present HQ-team into a permanent Conduct and Discipline Unit in the DPKO, as proposed by the SG.
    
    
17. Furthermore, Member States have a particular responsibility to train, prepare and hold accountable members of national contingents, including on senior levels. Managers and commanders have the responsibility to create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse. They must be clearly directed to facilitate investigations and they must be held accountable for failures in this regard. However, it is of equal importance that the same norms of conduct apply to all categories of peacekeeping personnel. Individuals participating in peacekeeping missions, including UN staff and experts on mission who have committed a criminal offence must be brought to justice. There can be no impunity in cases of criminal offence.
    

    (5) Doctrine

    
    

    Mr. Chairman

    
    
18. The SG states in his report that peacekeeping operations have become more complex and as such a common understanding of terminology is required. The request from the Special Committee to the Secretariat in 2005 was to propose a list of suggested definitions with a view to developing standardized terminology to cover the whole spectrum of DPKO activities from pre-conflict to post-conflict. The intention to tackle doctrine as a major priority area in DPKO's reform agenda for the next 5 years is welcomed. The three stage approach set out in the SG's report is a logical and practical one and the intention to engage member states in this process is warmly welcomed. However, we have to keep in mind that doctrine is not only the question of terminology. It covers some very important areas of policy, strategy and implementation of a decision in a whole range of peacekeeping activities. Therefore, it has to be elaborated very precisely and in a transparent and cooperative manner. We look forward to our discussion on doctrine during this session and later within a proposed open-ended working group.
    

    (6) Reorganization of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations

    
    

    Mr. Chairman

    
    
19. The EU shares the SG's concerns on current organizational flaws within DPKO and mission headquarters. We notes with interest the proposals for better cohesion and integration of the different aspects of PKOs within the organization and support the call for change. In particular, we welcome the SG Report conclusions that experiences from national systems in establishing integrated planning and support capacities for multinational field operations may provide useful insights and best practices on how to address the challenge of engaging diverse actors. The EU stands ready to contribute to such work. Changes should be carefully considered, calibrated and based on prior sound analysis of actual deficiencies and future demands.
    
    
20. We are of the view that IMPP implementation and testing is a prerequisite for further change. The right balance must be struck between specialization and integration and modifications must not diminish UN HQs capacity to run and effectively manage the current level of operations. In this process, it is especially important that the DPKO's planning capacities be strengthened so as to improve its ability to cope with the planning of 18 complex operations throughout the world.
    
    
21. Finally, as a result of the surge in operations the cost of UN peacekeeping has risen substantially. The European Union is the largest collective financial contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget. Hence we consider an efficient and effective use of funds to be of utmost importance in order to be able to sustain operations in the long term. Financial rules and regulations should be adjusted to the latest developments in peacekeeping and the most up-to-date standards in accounting.
    
    
22. Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, the European Union is looking forward to having fruitful discussions during the course of this session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, as well as to participating in the briefings and workshop of the coming days.
    

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• EU Presidency Statement - UN Security Council Public Meeting on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Peacekeeping Personnel (23/2/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (22/2/2006)