Mr. Chairman,
The European Union would like to thank the Office of Internal Oversight Services for the thoroughness of the analysis contained in the reports, and we would just like to make a few brief comments.
The European Union welcomes the findings of the report on procurement activities, which shows that there has been a significant improvement in the systems and procedures used by the Procurement Department. The European Union agrees that there should be continued efforts to further improve the operating effectiveness of the procurement process.
The OIOS report on DESA shows that the Secretary General's consolidation of the three departments has been a success. In the opinion of the European Union, this department is absolutely fundamental to the work of the United Nations.
The report on DGAACS shows a successful outcome of the rationalisation exercise undertaken at the initiative of the Secretary-General in 1997. We support the recommendations of the OIOS in particular concerning the need to strengthen cost-effective utilisation of services in New York, Geneva and Vienna, and regarding the importance of avoiding unnecessarily extended meetings.
Finally, Mr Chairman, the European Union would like to express its appreciation for the work of Mr Nair and all his staff and wish them well in their continuing work.
I thank you.