EU Presidency Statement - Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism

Statement by the United Kingdom on behalf of the Member States of the European Union on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism: Sixth Committee Debate, New York

Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: The candidate countries Bulgaria, Croatia*, Romania and Turkey; the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro; the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area; and other aligning countries Ukraine and Moldova.

Mr Chairman,

Acts of terrorism continue to shock the conscience of humanity. In July, the European Union again suffered the horror of a major terrorist atrocity. That time, the target was London. And most recently and tragically, it was Bali for the second time in recent years. No continent is safe from the threat of terror. International terrorism requires an international response.

The European Union and its Member States unequivocally condemn all terrorist acts as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. We reaffirm our commitment to combating terrorism. And at the same time, we underline the need for enhancing dialogue and broadening understanding amongst civilisations. We reject any identification of terrorism with single cultures or religions. The fight against terrorism is a common effort. We must together combat incitement of terrorism and recruitment. And we must conduct the fight against terrorism in a manner which fully respects democratic principles, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

Mr Chairman,

The United Nations has already done much to set international standards and to encourage and help States to meet them. The European Union welcomes the Summit Outcome's clear condemnation of terrorism and the call to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism during this 60th session. We will be working hard to that end.

The United Nations has a central and important role to play in combating terrorism, and we therefore welcome the Secretary General's counter-terrorism strategy. Completion of the Comprehensive Convention is a major element in that strategy, and will pave the way for future consideration of the strategy by the General Assembly. Similarly, the European Union sees discussion of the possibility of convening a high level UN conference on counter-terrorism as an issue that can be taken forward after the conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention.

Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and the other counter-terrorism related resolutions including the latest on incitement of terrorism 1624 (2005) are also at the heart of the UN's response to terrorism. The European Union will continue actively to support and co-operate with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the other relevant Security Council committees. We recognise that many States continue to require assistance in implementing these resolutions. We support the call in the Summit Outcome document for fair and clear procedures for placing individuals and entities on sanctions lists and for removing them.

The thirteen "sectoral" UN Conventions and Protocols are a major achievement in the fight against terrorism. The European Union is fully committed to their ratification and full implementation and calls on all States to match that commitment. In this context, the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime merits special mentioning. It assists States in becoming parties to the relevant international Conventions and Protocols relating to terrorism, and it also helps States implementing them. The completion and adoption in April this year of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was a very significant achievement for the Ad Hoc Committee established by General Assembly resolution 51/210. We in the Sixth Committee who attend the Working Group of the Ad Hoc Committee now carry the very high expectations of the international community that the Comprehensive Convention will be completed. The European Union is committed to meeting those expectations at this session of the Working Group beginning on 10 October on the basis of the Co-ordinator's text. The European Union view remains firmly that the Comprehensive Convention should supplement, not supplant, the sectoral Conventions. We must maintain the law and practice - the acquis - that has developed under those sectoral Conventions.

Thank you Mr Chairman.


* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

| Arriba |

• EU Presidency Statement - Security Council: Open meeting on Terrorism (26/10/2005)
• EU Commission presents comprehensive Counter-terrorism package  (21/9/2005)
• GAERC Conclusions on Terrorism (18/7/2005)
• Highlights: EU Anti-terrorism Coordinator De Vries: World Must Keep Focus on Fight Against Terrorism (30/6/2005)