EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Security Council: Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Role of the Security Council in Supporting Security Sector Reform

• Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a potential candidate for EU membership, benefits from substantial SSR support in the areas of police, justice and border man-agement. In addition, in January 2003, we started the European Union Police Mis-sion (EUPM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which followed on from the United Nation's International Police Task Force. In accordance with best European and international practice, the mission seeks to establish sustainable policing arrangements under Bosnian ownership. It does so through monitoring, mentoring and inspection activi-ties. Following an invitation from the Bosnian authorities, the EU decided in Novem-ber 2005 to establish a refocused police mission. It supports the police reform proc-ess and continues to develop and consolidate local capacity and regional coopera-tion in the fight against major and organized crime.

• In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the European Union has been active in SSR since 2002, playing a leading role in defence, police and justice reform. We believe the assistance of the International Community in bringing peace and de-velopment to the whole of the country cannot bear fruit without reform of the security sector. Therefore, the EU has confirmed its readiness to assume a lead co-ordinating role in international efforts on SSR together with MONUC, if requested by the DRC authorities. In June 2005, the EU established an advisory and assistance mission for security reform (EUSEC), which focuses on defence reform. The mission provides advice and assistance to the Congolese authorities in charge of security while ensuring the promotion of policies that are compatible with international stan-dards.

• Also in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the European Union launched - in close coordination with the United Nations - a police mission in Kin-shasa (EUPOL Kinshasa). The mission monitors, mentors and advises the Integrated Police Unit and ensures that this unit acts according to international best practice. The unit's impartiality is a key element. It has successfully intervened on various occasions during the election period, stabilizing the situation on the streets of the capital. Thus the contribution by the European Union had an immediate positive effect in the critical last phase of the transition period, leading towards the establish-ment of a democratically elected government.

• Finally, last week the EU Council of Ministers decided to start planning a mission in Afghanistan in the field of policing. This mission will complement the already substantive EU support of the Afghan Police Force concerning payment of salaries and it will be carried out in conjunction with an EU reform programme in the justice sector, which aims to professionalize the judicial and public prosecution service. This is an important step, which confirms the EU's strong long-term commitment to Afghanistan.

Given the experiences the European Union has gained from the range of SSR pro-grammes and missions in which it has been engaged so far, we believe that action on SSR needs to be approached in a holistic manner that is underpinned by comprehensive national security strategies. It starts with an assessment of the security needs of a coun-try, and should include plans for the future architecture of the security system. The re-form process should be designed to strengthen good governance, democratic norms, the rule of law and human rights. Democratic institutions that can provide civilian over-sight and accountability and the overall management of reforms are especially relevant here.

The European Union promotes coherent approaches within the UN system that are guided by lessons learned from past experiences and based on agreed principles within the International Community. In this context, the EU is also undertaking particular efforts to implement resolution 1325 on women, peace and security as well as resolution 1612 on children affected by armed conflict. There is a need for better co-operation among all partners involved in SSR as well as better coordination of their efforts. We therefore welcome and support the Presidential Statement to be adopted today, which acknowl-edges the need for a report by the Secretary-General on approaches to SSR by the United Nations. Nevertheless, we think that the upcoming tasks should be fulfilled using existing resources and by the existing bodies, one of them being the Peacebuilding Commission.

Once more I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing today's debate and thereby stimulating a broader discussion within the UN system and with external actors on an issue of such cross-cutting importance. The European Union is ready to continue to contribute constructively on this issue. We look forward to a report by the Secretary-General with recommendations for co-ordinated and effective UN support for SSR.


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

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