Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Croatia*, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this statement.
Let me first thank Ambassador Hadjimichael of Cyprus for presiding over the work of the Committee during the past year, and Vice Chairman of the Committee Mr. Branimir Zaimov (BUL) for his presentation of the Committee’s report, as well as the introduction of the relevant draft resolution.
During the reporting period the Committee has been fully engaged with the issues falling under its mandate. The European Union wishes to express its appreciation for the ongoing work and endeavour of the Committee which continues to serve as an important and necessary forum for considering the various issues and problems that Missions accredited to the UN may face in full conformity with international law.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union also wishes to express its appreciation to the host country for its commitment and efforts to help accommodate the needs, interests and requirements of the diplomatic community in New York and to promote mutual understanding between the diplomatic community and the people of the city of New York.
The Committee deals with a variety of issues that affect diplomats in New York, ranging form diplomatic parking to diplomatic privileges and immunities. Though often practical in nature, these issues go to the heart of preserving the legal regime that defines the status of the United Nations and outlines the rights and obligations of diplomatic agents. The EU considers the observance of privileges and immunities to be an issue of great importance. To this end, it is paramount to safeguard the integrity of the relevant body of international law such as the Headquarters Agreement between the United Nations and the host country, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. With regard to privileges and immunities, the EU welcomes the decision of the host country to partly exempt all diplomats accredited to the United Nations from secondary screening procedures at airports and looks forward to its effective implementation.
The EU supports the proper implementation of the Parking Programme for Diplomatic Vehicles in a manner that is consistent with international law.
The EU also wishes to express appreciation to the host country for its efforts to ensure the timely issuance of entry visas to representatives of Member States on United Nations business.
The European Union has studied carefully the report of the Committee and fully endorses its conclusions and recommendations. The European Union is convinced that the Committee remains a relevant body that can assist the membership of the Organisation in communicating matters of concern to the host country and which facilitates dialogue between the parties in a manner geared towards addressing these issues. The Committee’s working methods must continue to be guided by the constructive and cooperative spirit that prevailed until now in order to find solutions that are fully complying with international law.
I thank you./.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.