EU Presidency Statement - The situation in the Central African Region

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, and the EFTA Countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

Allow me once again to congratulate you for the strong leadership Angola has shown during its November 2003 Presidency of the Security Council, especially on African issues. I also thank Mr. Tuliameni Kalomoh for the comprehensive and well-structured report of the multidisciplinary assessment mission to the Central African subregion, which he headed in June 2003.

Mr. President,

As appropriately noted in the report, Central Africa is potentially one of the richest subregions in Africa, but also it contains the largest number of States at the bottom of almost all human development indices. Moreover, seven of the eleven countries visited by the UN mission are either in conflict or in post-conflict situations, and the subregion as a whole continues to suffer from the proliferation of small arms and armed groups, high unemployment among young people (pushing them into banditry or armed mercenary activities), underdeveloped infrastructures, great numbers of displaced persons and refugees, poor human rights records and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

As stressed during last week's public debate on the Great Lakes, the European Union deeply shares the view (contained in the report) that the fundamental problems affecting the Central African subregion can be tackled only through an integrated regional approach to the main cross-cutting issues.

Such an approach requires more effective subregional cooperation and integration, to be promoted by strengthening the mechanisms set up by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS): the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa, the Early-Warning Mechanism for Central Africa and the Central African Multinational Force. We are fully aware of the importance of African ownership in this process. ECCAS's coordination and consistency with NEPAD and African Union policies and mechanisms, as well as with other relevant subregional organizations in the area, is also of the utmost importance.

In addition to ensuring regional ownership within the processes of stabilization and economic growth in Central Africa, we must continue to mobilize international support. While the governments of the region bear the prime responsibility for consolidating peace and ensuring development, the international community has a duty to assist them at all levels. The European Union stands ready to perform this task.

Mr. President,

The European Union notes with satisfaction the recent positive developments in the main crisis areas of the subegion, namely in the Great Lakes countries, as stressed a few days ago during the public debate. Moreover, the quick restoration of constitutional rule in Sao Tome' and Principe after the attempted coup d'etat in July 2003 and the partial improvement of the situation in the Central African Republic attest to the fundamental role of regional organizations and the growing determination of African leaders to promote democratic governance and the rule of law.

The European Union is fully committed to continue boosting peace and stabilization processes in Central Africa. As you know, Operation Artemis succeeded in stabilizing the security conditions, improving the humanitarian situation and protecting the civilian population of Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rapid deployment of the European multinational force - the first ever outside European boundaries - halted a dangerous downward spiral and helped reactivate the peace process in that country. This EU-led military operation provides further tangible evidence of the European Union's commitment to stability and security in the Central African subregion and in the African continent as a whole.

On the other hand, the report stresses that in the Great Lakes region alone there are more than one million illegal small arms in circulation, and that disarmament, demobilization and the reintegration of former combatants are proceeding at a very slow pace. We believe that without a comprehensive regional solution to these problems, any peace and stabilization effort will inevitably fail in the long term. In this regard, the European Union welcomes all national, subregional and international initiatives to strengthen the capacities of Central African countries, particularly the initiative for convening the International Conference for the Great Lakes.

As a result of the intrinsic link between poverty and conflict, the international community must help Central African countries enter the path of durable and sustainable development, thereby eradicating the economic sources of political instability, civil unrest and conflict. Unemployment, heavy external debt and poor infrastructures in Central African countries can be tackled through good governance and international assistance.

Mr. President,

The European Union stands ready to cooperate with the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States on peace and stabilization processes and the economic development of the Central African subregion. We totally agree with the report that a holistic and integrated approach is needed and reiterate our strong support to the Secretary General for his commitment.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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• EU Presidency Statement - International Conference for the Great Lakes Region  (20/11/2003)