EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on Sierra Leone

Statement by Sir Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, at the United Nations Security Council Public Meeting on Sierra Leone, New York

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration

As the last peacekeeping troops leave Sierra Leone, the European Union commends the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for its central contribution to the peace and stability of Sierra Leone. The efforts of the Special Representatives, other UN officials and the troop contributing countries, together with the co-operation of the people of Sierra Leone, have ensured the success of the mission.

UNAMSIL has demonstrated a sure touch in its efforts to secure, develop and enhance security. We welcome the drawdown of UNAMSIL as it demonstrates to the people of Sierra Leone that the conflict lies behind them. The legacy of the last six years is a peace that can and must continue to be built on.

The mission has shown innovative ways of co-operating with local actors and with the international community. The use of defined benchmarks for managing the drawdown has proved successful and the willingness to work with other UN regional operations such as UNMIL and UNOCI, as well as the UN Office for West Africa, has been highly beneficial.

The EU is committed to working with the government of Sierra Leone to demonstrate to the people that the benefits of peace are tangible and to work to improve their lives. The EU is dedicated to ensuring that economic and social development is enhanced and continues to invest in infrastructure and institutional programmes to achieve this. Improved access to rural areas and a rehabilitation of the education and health infrastructure in those areas are key ways to demonstrate to all Sierra Leoneans that the country is improving. These, therefore, will be the focus of EU development assistance

We look forward to the support of UNMIL in providing the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The regional aspect to the conflict was important and Mano River Union and ECOWAS co-operation will be key in building peaceful development.

The EU notes the success of the recent Consultative Group Donors' meeting in London, was pleased to participate and hopes that it will enable the successful implementation of the Government of Sierra Leone's Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan.

The EU expects that the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone will continue to support the work of the Government of Sierra Leone as it faces up to its many challenges. Reform of institutions, improvements in infrastructure and the challenge of tackling corruption will need continued support. A focus on human rights is to be commended as, in particular, the problems faced by young people and women are addressed.

The EU looks forward to credible elections in 2007 and to a tolerant and responsible attitude to campaigning from all parties and their supporters. The work of UNIOSIL in support of the electoral process will be important.

We hope that the withdrawal of UNAMSIL marks the end of the phase of conflict in Sierra Leone and we look forward to co-operating in the building of a prosperous and durable peace.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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• EU Presidency Statement - Sierra Leone (20/12/2005)
• Support to peacebuilding: examples of EU action (12/9/2005)
• 7th EU-ECOWAS Ministerial Troika Meeting  (19/5/2005)