EU Presidency Statement - The situation in Timor-Leste

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, Liechtenstein, and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

Before making my statement, I would like to welcome back our good friend the Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. Ramos Horta. Mr. Minister, your contribution to this debate is most welcome and greatly valued.

Mr. President,

The United Nations can be proud of what has been achieved by the people of Timor-Leste. With the assistance of this organisation, the support of this Council, and the commitment of the wider international community, the advances made in Timor-Leste since independence have been remarkable.

The European Union commends and supports the efforts of the Timorese Government to consolidate the progress made to date - especially in the areas of governance and open leadership; the ongoing development of new legislative and judicial frameworks, including the rule of law; the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the support for regional integration; the development of planning and budgetary discipline; and, very importantly, the commitment to democratic norms and personal freedoms.

The EU recognises that a critical element of the success so far has been the hard work of the men and women of the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) and we commend them, and those countries who have supported them in their efforts, for their dedication.

Mr. President,

The European Union notes that, as determined by the Security Council, the activities and size of the UNMISET are gradually being reduced in preparation for the completion of its mandate on 20 May this year. Last October, this Council heard from the Special Representative Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, that the international community should consider carefully the completion of UNMISET's drawdown while also taking stock of what has been achieved, reflecting on the remaining tasks to be completed, and deciding on the best way to fulfil the legitimate needs of Timor-Leste in the post-May 2004 period. In that regard, the European Union notes that earlier this month the Timorese Prime Minister, Mr. Mari Alkatiri, wrote to the Secretary-General and expressed his Government's wish for the continued presence of a UN peacekeeping force in Timor-Leste beyond the expiry of the current UNMISET mandate.

Mr. President,

As an organisation, determining our approach to the disengagement of our peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations is a recurring challenge. Satisfying the continuing legitimate needs of the country at hand must be balanced against ensuring the continued growth of sustainable national capacities for self-governance and self-reliance. In this regard, it is necessary for the international community, on a case-by-case basis, to focus on the tasks remaining and carry out a careful and thorough analysis of any continuing threats to the maintenance of peace and security, as well as the development of the judicial sector and the rule of law; the humanitarian situation, including the status of refugees and other displaced persons; the development of national security institutions, such as police and military forces; progress in national reconciliation; and creating a favourable climate for sustainable social and economic development.

In this regard, the European Union welcomes the Secretary-General's dispatching of an assessment team to Timor-Leste in January. The EU notes that the resulting report confirms significant progress continues to be made, and that further advances in Timorese capacity can be expected in the months ahead.

The European Union supports the efforts of the Timorese Government to consolidate the political institutions, to promote the social and economic development of the country and to uphold the Rule of Law while building a new nation. In particular, the European Union welcomes developments such as: the security situation has largely remained calm; relations between Timor-Leste and Indonesia have been good; the development of the country's public administration has continued to make progress; the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation continues to provide a community-based solution for less serious crimes committed in connection with the political conflict; and the national police force has assumed responsibility for routine policing throughout the country. In addition, and in the context of ending impunity and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency, the European Union notes with interest that the process of prosecuting those accused of serio! us crimes has continued apace. The European Union will continue to follow closely the relevant trials in Dili and Jakarta.

Mr. President,

The European Union thanks the Secretary-General for his thorough report on the current situation in Timor-Leste and notes that he states that, notwithstanding the commendable and substantial achievements, Timor-Leste continues to face a number of "formidable challenges".

The European Union shares the view that further assistance will be needed to consolidate the achievements already made. In this regard, a continuing though modified presence for UNMISET after May 2004 seems required. The Secretary-General's analysis and his recommendation for an extension of UNMISET, with appropriate modifications to its mandate and composition, deserve the Security Council's full consideration.

Mr. President,

Notwithstanding the fact that the primary responsibility for a successful transition lies with the Timorese people themselves, it remains incumbent on the international community to consolidate the progress that is so evident in Timor-Leste. As is the case elsewhere in the world, we have an obligation to the Timorese people to continue our support for their progress through bilateral donor programs, the work of the family of UN agencies, support from the Bretton-Woods institutions, and all the instruments we have at our disposal to consolidate their achievement and to ensure their continued advancement. I take this opportunity to reaffirm the European Union's commitment to the Timorese people to this end.

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