Sumario: October 18, 2000: Statement by Mr Daniel Le Gargasson, Councellor at the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations. International agreement on forest (New York)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour of addressing you on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and the other associated countries (Cyprus, Malta and Turkey) align themselves with this statement.
The European Union welcomes the adoption of the draft Resolution establishing the international arrangement on forests in accordance with the decisions adopted at the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests. It expresses particular satisfaction with the creation of a United Nations Forum on Forests, a new body expected to make a major contribution towards our common goal of sustainable forest management.
Lengthy negotiations were needed to reach an agreement on the location of the Forum within the United Nations system. The European Union only reluctantly agreed to the solution contained in the resolution. It considers that the creation of a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council with universal membership sets a regrettable precedent affecting both the authority of Ecosoc and the credibility of the Commission on Sustainable Development. It will in the future endeavour to ensure that
in this respect the United Nations Forum on Forests remains an exception within the United Nations system.
The resolution also provides that the decision on the location of the Forum's Secretariat will be taken at the intergovernmental level, that is, by Ecosoc on recommendation by the Forum. The European Union considers that a decision of this kind falls within the power of the Secretary-General as part of his role in organising and running its services, and regrets having been unable to convince its partners of the cogency of its position. It hopes at least that intergovernmental discussion on the
subject will not delay the Forum's activities, in particular the preparation of its multiannual work programme.
Despite the above reservations, the European Union eagerly awaits the start of the Forum's proceedings and intends to make a contribution, which is as constructive as it is determined. It also attaches great importance to the setting up of the Collaborative partnership on forests between the relevant institutions, a partnership which it regards as an essential element of the new international arrangement on forests.
Before concluding, I would like to thank all delegations for the creativity, mutual respect and sense of compromise, which they have displayed throughout these negotiations. These thanks go out in particular to the negotiator for Nigeria, spokesman for the Group of 77 and China, Osita Anaedu, whom I would like to assure of my esteem and friendship. Finally, the European Union would like to applaud our "facilitator", Ambassador Asadi, who, with a shrewd mixture of energy and flexibility,
patience and passion, has managed to bring these negotiations to a close in a good climate, despite the difficulties encountered.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
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