EU Presidency Statement - Programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of 27 countries: the 15 Member States of the European Union, the Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union (Bulgaria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, Slovakia), and the other associated countries (Cyprus and Malta), as well as Liechtenstein support this declaration.

I should like to thank the Secretary-General for his presentation and assure him that the European Union and its associate countries are determined to support his approach.

At the end of the Millennium Summit, our Heads of State or Government adopted a Declaration in which they resolved to make the United Nations more effective in maintaining peace and security by giving it the resources and tools it needs in order to do so more successfully. In this respect the Millennium Declaration pays tribute to the report of the panel chaired by Mr Brahimi and requests the General Assembly to consider its recommendations expeditiously.

On that basis, Secretary-General, you have proposed a set of measures which could be introduced as from January 2001, the financial implications of which you spell out, adding that other proposals will follow by April 2001. The European Union entirely endorses the proposals in the report and would like to confirm to you, Secretary-General, its full support in implementing that phased approach: let us begin with what can be done straight away, without further delay.

The European Union is well aware of the urgency of action. Mr. Brahimi's report highlighted the imperative nature of the changes to be made in order to provide more effective support for peace-keeping operations throughout the world, particularly in Africa. The matter is indeed a priority for many African States, facing serious crises and urgently needing a UN Secretariat fully able to handle the day-to-day conduct of peacekeeping operations. That support for them from the UN is, very often, the only support they will receive to help them find their way back towards peace. It is therefore vital.

UN support for conflict resolution is only one of the UN's many tasks. UN action to foster development, in particular, is another priority. These two approaches are, however, complementary. The effort required of us in order to begin to put into practice the panel's recommendations is in no way a substitute for our efforts to assist development. I would add that the cost of this effort seems very reasonable when compared to the size of the regular budget or to the one for peace-keeping operations.

Nearly three months after the Millennium Summit, we thus have a duty to deliver. Our Governments and public opinion would be unable to understand it if we could not manage now, or at any rate by the end of the year, to take the initial measures which our Secretary-General is proposing to us.

The matter is currently before various General Assembly bodies: the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations is working on aspects of relevance to it and the Fifth Committee needs to deal with the aspects concerning the resources required. I would add that the ACABQ itself is considering the matter. I think it is to be welcomed that this matter of paramount importance should be under discussion in all those fora, each dealing with aspects within its sphere of responsibility. That is the best way for us to succeed in providing a practical response to the priority needs identified in Mr Brahimi's report, with all due speed.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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• UE INTERVENCIÓN EN MEJORA DE LA SITUACIÓN FINANCIERA DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS (15/3/2002)