Sumario: EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Security Council Debate on Afghanistan (20 March 2007: New York)
Statement by the German Presidency on behalf of the European Union at the United Nations Security Council Debate on Afghanistan, New York
Mr. Chairman,
The EU welcomes this debate prior to the upcoming renewal of the mandate for the UN's Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and for the briefings by Tom Koenigs and by Antonio Maria Costa this morning.
We have taken note of the Secretary-General's recommendations with regard to the focus of UNAMA's activities in the upcoming months. We agree that these should include: strengthening international coordination including in the humanitarian field, continuing to contribute to the protection of human rights and to extend good offices through outreach in Afghanistan and in the region.
We shall further reflect upon the Secretary General's detailed analysis. He has again presented a mixed picture of current trends. Progress in some areas appears to contrast with an overall precarious security situation, widespread lack of good governance, popular alienation and a thriving narcotics industry.
Mr. Chairman,
The Afghanistan Compact based on Afghan leadership and partnership with the international community will continue to be the strategic framework for our common efforts.
The UN plays the key role in coordinating efforts for institution-building and reconstruction within the framework of the Afghanistan Compact, in particular as co-chair of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB). The EU commends UNAMA, under Tom Koenigs' excellent leadership, for its outstanding work.
We underline our appreciation for the central role of the Joint Board as the main coordination body, both within the international community and with the Government of Afghanistan. The recent Board meeting in Berlin was an important step towards enhanced coordination.
The EU welcomes the recent extension of UNAMA's field presence with now 17 locations as well as the plans for the opening of two new provincial offices by May 2007, security conditions permitting. We encourage the UN to continue expanding its network throughout the country after that time.
We also welcome all efforts, including those by UNAMA, to promote regional cooperation between Afghanistan and her neighbours. The stabilization of Afghanistan is key to the stability of the whole region. The EU encourages the development of regional cooperation through political dialogue, increased economic links, and confidence-building measures between Afghanistan and all neighbours, including Central Asian States. We call on Afghanistan and Pakistan to cooperate closely to deal with
insecurity in border areas, while we urge Pakistan to build on current efforts to prevent the use of its territory by the Taliban.
Mr. Chairman,
The EU has made a commitment to long-term support for the people and government of Afghanistan. The core principles of EU engagement are to promote Afghan leadership, responsibility, and ownership, and to foster the development of a democratic, secure and sustainable Afghan state. The Afghanistan Compact and the Joint EU-Afghanistan Political Declaration of 16 November , 2005, remain a comprehensive framework for EU engagement with Afghanistan. To cite but one figure: In the 2002-2006 period,
the EU, as the second- largest donor, collectively contributed 3.7 billion Euros in aid to Afghanistan - apart from large contributions to ISAF and NATO made by EU members.
The EU remains concerned about the still-thriving narcotics industry. The most recent UNODC survey suggests that opium cultivation in 2007 may not be lower than the record harvest in 2006. Trends apparently vary among provinces. The results show clear correlations between insurgency and illicit drug-related activities.
The EU recognises the significant and detrimental impact the production and trafficking in drugs has on the stability and security of Afghanistan, the surrounding region and the EU Member States themselves. Most recently, the European Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Afghanistan, which has primary ownership of the process, in its efforts to tackle drugs through the National Drug Control Strategy, including anti-corruption efforts.
We have also reaffirmed our support for the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to promote and extend the rule of law through development of the police, courts, prisons and the wider justice system. We recognise the important role of counter-narcotics as part of this. The EU intends to fund a regional project against precursor diversion under the EU's new Stability Instrument.
Mr. Chairman,
In February 2007, the European Council decided to set up a European Security and Defence Policy Mission to Afghanistan in the field of policing, with linkages to the wider rule of law. This ESDP Mission will work towards an Afghan police force of local ownership that respects human rights and operates, throughout the country, within the framework of the rule of law. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring complementarity and mutual reinforcement with the EU's actions, especially its
engagement in reform of the justice sector, as well as with international partners active in the field of security sector reform. This justice programme aims to professionalize the judicial and public prosecution service, e.g. through reforms to pay, grading and recruitment, as well as the establishment of a code of ethics. The programme could also assist in the development of a new national legal aid system and thus improve citizens' access to justice. This work is being designed to dovetail
with the ESDP Mission.
Mr. Chairman,
The EU notes the adoption by Parliament on 10 March, 2007, of the "Charter on National Reconciliation", which has now been signed by the President, and the concerns expressed about the possible impact of some of its provisions. In this context, the EU recalls that the Action Plan on Peace, Reconciliation and Justice is part of the Afghanistan Compact and underlines the need to ensure its full implementation.
Freedom of speech and free media have been among the most impressive achievements of recent years in Afghanistan and continue to be key elements of democratization. However, the EU has noted with some concern that recent amendments to the draft media law under discussion in Parliament appear to enhance government control of the media, including potential for direct interference with personnel decisions and contents transmitted by Radio Television Afghanistan. In our view, the draft media law
first enacted by presidential decree in 2005 provided a sound basis for the protection of free and independent media regulation mechanisms. We hope that the media law will be adopted on this basis.
Mr. Chairman,
In the spirit of EU-Afghan partnership, the EU stands by Afghanistan. The EU will continue to work together with the Government of Afghanistan to stabilise and rebuild the country by addressing issues of both security and development.
We wish the UN and in particular UNAMA success in their efforts. The EU will continue to support their mission.
Mr. Chairman,
The Candidate countries Croatia*, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, as well as Moldova and Ukraine have aligned themselves with this EU statement.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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