EU Presidency Statement - Report of ECOSOC ad hoc Advisory Group on Burundi

Madam 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 Candidate Countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey; the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro; and the EFTA countries, Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

African countries emerging from conflict situations should be among the highest priorities of the United Nations system and the work of the ad hoc advisory groups is an important step in the context of the interactive relationship between security and development and the importance of both in the efforts to achieve sustainable development in the countries concerned.

Today there is real hope that peace might, at last, be within reach in Burundi.

Throughout the peace process, the European Union has been an active partner of Burundi, both in the political and the development field. The EU is a witness of the Arusha Agreement and is represented in its follow up committee. Through the European Commission, the EU is supporting the peace process for example by contributing to the African peace keeping Mission in Burundi (AMIB) and providing food to combatants awaiting their demobilisation. EU Member States and the European Commission continue to express their solidarity with the Burundian people by providing humanitarian assistance and by maintaining development projects in a difficult environment.

2003 has been a year of significant political progress towards resolution of the 10-year armed conflict. With the implementation of the cease fire agreements between the CNDD FDD and the Transitional Government of Burundi, one of the largest hurdles to peace and security in the country has been overcome.

The EU commends all Burundian leaders involved in these difficult negotiations for their spirit of compromise. The level of trust witnessed between former adversaries, the swift integration in the Transitional Government and the setting up of a mixed cease-fire commission, are encouraging signs. In April 2003, the transfer of power at presidential level initiated the second half of the political transition and illustrated the shared commitment to respect the terms of the Arusha Agreement.

The EU welcomes the outcome of the talks between the delegation led by the President of Burundi, Domitien Ndayizeye, and the delegation of the FNL, held in the Netherlands on 18-21 January and which were facilitated by the Netherlands Government. We look forward to the dialogue continuing and coming to a successful conclusion. The European Union condemns the tragic murder of the Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi, Monsignor Michael Courtney, on 29 December 2003.

Let me also commend the outstanding work of the facilitation team - South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania - and of the first African Union led peace keeping mission (AMIB). Burundi is a clear illustration of Africa's endeavour to rise up to the challenge.

Despite the overall progress towards peace, the situation in Burundi remains fragile and the challenges are great. The cease-fire is still not all-inclusive. During the last nine months of the transition, elections have to be held, rebels integrated into the army, and demobilisation begun. The humanitarian situation is serious and thousands of internally displaced and returning refugees need to be re-settled. The climate of impunity that has existed for so many years must be addressed. Also, the revival of the economy in Burundi, including through economic diversification, is a prerequisite for a sustainable peace.

I would like to highlight some of the main challenges:

First, peace and security cannot be obtained in Burundi as long as the FNL is not fully participating in the peace process.

Secondly, the formation of an integrated army, a national police force and the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of former combatants will be crucial for the success of the transition to peace. Progress has been achieved with the elaboration of a national DDR plan and a draft joint operations plan. The EU, as major stakeholder in and contributor to the MDRP programme, stands ready to assist but stresses the need for early implementation on the basis of a clear and realistic operational framework.

Thirdly, the implementation of the Arusha Agreement and the preparation of the elections must remain a priority. The Transitional Government must give a strong signal to the Burundian people that it is now seriously taking steps to fully implement the Agreement in its entirety.

Finally, as previously mentioned, the EU believes that it is critical that the advances in the peace process are consolidated with an improvement of the social and economic situation, in particular with regard to health and education. The situation of women and children is of particular concern, including gender based violence. The benefits of a peace "dividend" must be actually experienced by the people of Burundi. Improved respect for human rights is also crucial.

The European Union actively participated in the Forum of Development Partners which met in Brussels on 13/14 January. The Forum brought together multilateral and bilateral actors with the objective of assisting Burundi to put an end to socio economic devastation and engage in poverty eradication and sustainable development. Partners at the Conference announced their intention to allocate a minimum total pledge of more than 810 million euros ($1,032 million) over the next three years. From the same Forum a clear consensus emerged to make all possible efforts in order to allow Burundi to participate in the HIPC initiative.

The EU fully recognises that the way ahead is full of challenges and that the Transitional Government can only succeed with the sustained engagement of the international community. The EU supports the intention of the United Nations to play a greater role in Burundi and looks forward to the Report of the Secretary General.

Against this background, the establishment of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi could not have come at a better time. We congratulate the chairman of the Group, H.E. Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, Permanent Representative of South Africa, for the work undertaken by him and the members of the Group. The European Union looks forward to the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group and intends to study its recommendations most carefully, in particular those recommendations focussing on long-term programmes of support, based on development priorities. Furthermore, the EU encourages continued interaction between ECOSOC, through the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, and the Security Council on this important issue.

In conclusion, let me reiterate the EU's congratulations to the Government of Burundi for the progress achieved to date. I can assure you that the engagement of the EU will continue.

Thank you, Madam President.

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