Belgium

I have the honour today to speak on behalf of the European Union, which wishes, through you, Sir, to congratulate the President on his election. That election testifies to the esteem of the international community for his person and his country. I commend the speed of action and efficiency that you have shown in the face of the tragic events of 11 September, in adapting the agenda for the work of this Assembly. I would also like to associate with this tribute the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. Mr. Secretary-General, your re-election had already drawn attention to the unanimous appreciation of the Member States for your exceptional qualities as a manager, politician and humanist. The Nobel Committee paid an even wider tribute by awarding you the Nobel Peace Prize. The United Nations itself, here at your side, was also a recipient of this message of hope from a world in a state of shock, appealing to the United Nations to remain at the centre of the international community’s action for peace and development. It was the fundamental values constituting the foundation of the United Nations that were attacked in so cowardly a manner right here in New York on 11 September, when our host country, several thousands of its citizens and nationals of over 60 countries were the 37 victims of a barbaric act of aggression for which no justification can be accepted. That attack, by its enormity, has opened our eyes to the worldwide threat that terrorism has become. It is our open, democratic, tolerant and multicultural societies that were attacked through the United States. The terrorist threat must be hunted down in each of our countries, in our various regional organizations and, at the world level, through the United Nations. The European Union has most categorically condemned the 11 September attacks, and the fight against terrorism is now, more than ever before, one of our top objectives. The Union has declared its total solidarity with the United States. It has reaffirmed its unreserved support for the military action undertaken in the name of legitimate self-defence, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and Security Council resolution 1368 (2001). On 21 September, an Extraordinary European Council adopted an action plan for an unprecedented campaign against terrorism. This plan contains a number of specific measures intended to enhance judicial and police cooperation, including the introduction of a European arrest warrant. It also includes measures to put an end to the financing of terrorism and to improve air security. The European Council acknowledged that the fight against terrorism requires greater participation by the Union in the efforts of the international community to prevent and stabilize regional conflicts. By developing the Common Foreign and Security Policy and bringing the European Security and Defence Policy into operation as soon as possible, the Union will be at its most effective. At the global level also, fresh impetus must be provided to the fight against terrorism. Naturally, the United Nations has a central role to play in developing a coordinated and diversified strategy. We warmly welcome the major steps that have already been taken to that end. The most remarkable of these was the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001) by the Security Council on 28 September. The European Union and its member States are already committed to rapid enactment of the measures needed for its implementation. We call upon all countries to cooperate actively with the follow-up system set up by the Security Council, and we reiterate our readiness to provide aid in that connection to any countries that may have technical difficulties in meeting the requirements. It is also essential that all States ratify without delay the 12 conventions on combating terrorism and apply all of their provisions. The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism is a decisive aspect of international action and needs to be speedily signed and ratified. Lastly, the European Union welcomes the recent progress made in negotiating a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, on the basis of a draft submitted by India. The remaining difficulties must now be dealt with as soon as possible so that this instrument can be ready for signing early next year. The efforts we are making to combat terrorism must also form part of overall efforts to build a better world, a world in which human dignity is sacrosanct, in which human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected. The promotion and protection of human rights and an attachment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law are essential components of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and of its development, cooperation and external relations. The European Union will actively pursue its work on consolidating human rights and fundamental freedoms, with particular insistence on the universal, indivisible and interdependent nature of all human rights. It will continue to support efforts by the Secretary-General to integrate human rights into United Nations activities at all levels and in all forums, and to cooperate with all United Nations human rights machinery. The European Union welcomes the imminent establishment of the much-awaited International Criminal Court. The Union sees this as being of paramount importance and urges all States that have not yet done so to accede to the Rome Statute as soon as possible. More than ever before, we need a universal and permanent court capable of sanctioning the most serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, thereby contributing to peace and security in the world. It is vital that the United Nations give effective support to the establishment of the Court. Following the tragedy of 11 September, the special session of the General Assembly on the 10-year 38 review of the World Summit for Children had to be postponed. However, until it is held, we need to keep up the momentum developed in the preparatory discussions. We must continue to integrate the specific dimension of the child into our actions and strive to ensure that every child’s life is free from terror, the horrors of war, abuse and exploitation, hunger and poverty. The European Union is resolved to continue the fight against all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and to ensure that all countries take strong measures to apply the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Women must be able to enjoy their human rights in full, on an equal footing with men. Girls must have the same opportunities as boys, particularly in education and access to social services. The European Union insists also that there be equal rights to property, credit facilities and social services, including reproductive health services. It is in the interest of everyone that women be able to participate fully in economic and political life at all levels. The Union stresses the importance of implementing Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and the special attention that must be given to the participation and full association of women on an equal footing in all efforts aimed at maintaining and promoting peace and security. We must also vigorously pursue the crucial fight against racist and discriminatory tendencies and intolerance, which are daily realities throughout the world. The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance has, I believe, shown us the way forward. It has also enabled us to advance our ways of thinking about the causes and origins of racism and, above all, to view our past in a new way. What matters now is that we find the will to close the darkest chapters of our history so that we can build a new relationship based on mutual respect, solidarity and partnership. The terrible humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is gripping the attention of the international community just as much as the political, diplomatic, military and economic aspects of the situation in that country. This is the first time that the international community has adopted such a global approach to an armed conflict. We are convinced that this is the best — if not the only — way to ensure effective resolution of the crisis. The coordination of aid efforts, primarily on the ground and as part of the range of actions undertaken by the United Nations, remains essential. Emergency humanitarian aid to Afghanistan is an absolute priority for the European Union, which has undertaken to mobilize an aid package of over 320 million euros as soon as possible. The Union expresses its concern about the difficulties of access, as well as of delivering humanitarian assistance, in Afghanistan. It supports the efforts of the United Nations specialized agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all humanitarian organizations in seeking practical and flexible solutions. It also calls on the countries of the region to facilitate, by all possible means, humanitarian operations to deal with new influxes of Afghan refugees. The European Union recognizes the vital role of the United Nations in the search for a peace plan for Afghanistan. It intends to support the initiatives of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative and to make a constructive contribution, with regard to both the search for an internal political solution and to a plan for rebuilding the country. The Union also stresses the importance of the regional dimension of the stabilization of Afghanistan. We must make adequate contributions to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs so as to ensure that it can function efficiently. The European Union attaches particular importance to aid to persons displaced within their countries. We therefore welcome the fact that a unit has been established within the Secretariat to cater to their specific needs. Following the recent attacks against humanitarian aid personnel, the European Union can only call once again for the strengthening of arrangements, particularly those of a legal and financial nature, for guaranteeing the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers and United Nations workers in general. Now more than ever, disarmament and non- proliferation constitute the cornerstone of any peace and security structure, and must therefore be subject to binding multilateral norms. It is against that background that we wish to strengthen the non- proliferation regime, promote the rapid entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and reinforce the biological and toxin weapons Convention. We must also combat the proliferation of ballistic 39 missiles and the illicit trade in light weapons and continue to work for the complete elimination of anti- personnel mines. With regard to peacekeeping, the United Nations has shown in the past year that it is better equipped and better organized than it has been in recent times. By way of example, I should like to mention the operations in East Timor, Eritrea and Sierra Leone. Progress has thus already been made on the ground in implementing the recommendations of the Brahimi report. But much remains to be done, and the European Union will continue to provide its active support for improving the capabilities of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and advocating that the Organization be given the resources that it needs to enable it effectively to discharge its increasingly complex responsibilities. A comprehensive and long-term approach is required in order to resolve differences of opinion, consolidate peace and prevent a resurgence of conflict. The European Union, which is currently establishing its own military and civil crisis-management capability, is actively engaged in strengthening its cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations in the area of conflict prevention, crisis management, humanitarian aid, post-conflict reconstruction and long-term development. The Balkans, a region so close to the countries of the European Union, remains at the centre of the Union’s external activities. We resolutely maintain our commitment to contribute to building a region of security, prosperity and democracy there, where multi- ethnic societies can be free to flourish. Progress has been remarkable and encouraging, but unfortunately in many cases the situation remains fragile. The international community must remain vigilant and must not let extremists, of whatever kind, use violence to destroy the stabilization work already carried out. The situation in the Middle East is worsening. The lack of any political perspective naturally encourages continued confrontation and plays into the hands of extremists. Defiance, fear and resentment radicalize people’s mindsets. The European Union calls on Israelis and Palestinians, while there is still time, immediately to resume the peace process, without preconditions, on the basis of the Mitchell report. It calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately withdraw their forces from Palestinian-administered areas. It calls on the Palestinian Authority to do its utmost to arrest those responsible for violence against Israel. It is necessary to preserve what has been achieved so far in the peace process: the principles of the Madrid Conference, in particular the principle of land for peace, as well as Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and the agreements signed by the parties, which have already led to real results on the ground and to progress on the basis of earlier negotiations. The European Union calls on both parties to do their utmost in the political, security, economic and social areas in order to get back to the negotiating table, without preconditions, with the objective of realizing the legitimate aspirations of the peoples of the region, as set out at the Madrid Conference of 1991. For the Palestinians, the establishment of a viable democratic State and an end to the occupation of their territory is essential. The Israelis must have the right to live in peace and security within internationally recognized borders. The European Union also recalls that the search for a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region requires due account to be taken of the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese aspects of the conflict. The same principles should apply in the resolution of those situations. It is primarily for the parties themselves to try to find peace through negotiating all elements relating to permanent status. This will include finding a viable and just solution to the particularly complex issues of Jerusalem and the refugees, as well as those of the economic support for the Palestinian people. The European Union, in close cooperation with the United States of America and the other partners involved, reaffirms its willingness to work for a final settlement to the conflict. We believe that it is now a matter of urgency to develop an initiative to strongly urge the parties to resume their political dialogue. The European Union finds the status quo in Cyprus unacceptable. We express our disappointment at the unjustified decision of the Turkish side to decline the Secretary-General’s invitation to pursue talks. We continue to support the Secretary-General’s endeavours towards a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus question in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions. The scale of the tragedies on the African continent demands resolute action on our part, at all levels, to address the direct structural causes of those 40 conflicts. Conflicts in Africa have become increasingly complex and their cross-border effects increasingly destructive. The crises in the Great Lakes region of West Africa, in Zimbabwe and in the Horn of Africa require increased vigilance on the part of the Organization. Those crises also show the need for a comprehensive and integrated international approach. We gave an enthusiastic welcome to the launch of the New African Initiative at the Lusaka summit of the Organization of African Unity. The European Union has stated its willingness to respond and has already entered into a dialogue at the highest level with the African Union. At the Millennium Summit, we pledged together to attain a set of development objectives. That is an ambitious project which involves, inter alia, good governance in each country and at the international level. The Union underlines the need for strengthened partnership between rich countries and poor countries to achieve the development objectives of the Millennium Declaration. That partnership entails obligations and joint but varied efforts on the part of all countries. First of all, we must make every effort to eradicate poverty. New, concrete commitments were made at the third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries, held at Brussels last May. The European Union committed itself to untying aid, to opening up its markets through the “everything but arms” initiative and to the full financing of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Initiative. It is now a question of finalizing the follow-up mechanisms of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries. The European Union will also continue to give priority to the development of Africa. Two major international conferences will give us an opportunity to take up the challenges and achieve the principal objectives of the Millennium Declaration. At the International Conference on Financing for Development, to be held next March at Monterrey, Mexico, we shall focus on improving cooperation among all development actors, and on using resources more effectively and better mobilizing them. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held at Johannesburg in October 2002, we wish to promote the sustainable use and management and the protection of the natural resources that are the underpinning of economic and social development. We wish also to integrate action on the environment and poverty, to ensure that globalization serves the needs of sustainable development, and to promote better ways of managing public affairs and participation. The European Union would like to explore with its partners the possibility of achieving at the Summit a global pact on sustainable development. Such a pact should contain commitments both from Governments and from other actors. A global pact should lead to concrete action to improve the implementation of sustainable development policies. We hope that United Nations Member States will without delay commit themselves to be represented at Monterrey and at Johannesburg at the highest possible political level. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was one of the major results of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. We welcome the progress made at Bonn and at Marrakesh, and we undertake speedily to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. We have also just reached an intergovernmental consensus at the highest level on the strategy needed to halt the appalling global AIDS pandemic. That was a major step forward, but the urgent and tragic nature of the problem demand greater ambition. We will actively contribute to the creation of the new Global Fund to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and we will play an active role in all the other processes that emerged from last June’s special session so that the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS is put into practice through concrete measures. Among other challenges, the demographic changes that lie ahead are of particular interest to the European Union. The second World Assembly on Ageing, to be held at Madrid in April 2002, will be an opportunity for us to work together to build a society for all ages. The Millennium Summit enabled us to tackle, at the highest level, the major challenges facing the world community. We must now turn our attention to the process of following up the Declaration adopted by heads of State or Government with all due regard for the lofty and balanced aims of that cardinal text. For that, we need reliable data and depend on the existing follow-up machinery and processes and on the concerted efforts of the various actors in the 41 international community who can help us to achieve those objectives. We must also continue reform of the United Nations system as a whole, including the specialized agencies and the operational funds and programmes. The strengthening of the Security Council and its comprehensive reform in all its aspects should be pursued with determination. If we want a Security Council capable of responding even more effectively to the major challenges of the moment, we must intensify our efforts. Looking beyond the tremendous and growing complexity of our actions at the international level, our debate should highlight this basic truth: if we want to build a world made more peaceful by respect for the law, solidarity and tolerance, we must strengthen our cohesiveness in the face of the new challenges before us, and also step up our efforts to promote human rights, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. In this forum of the United Nations, we reply to the messengers of destruction with our common ideal, which will be stronger than hatred and division among mankind. That edifice, whose foundations are set in our spirits and in our hearts, will be unassailable.