14 May 2001

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, align themselves with this statement.

The European Union would like to thank the chairman of the post-Phase V Working Group, Colonel Claus Pedersen, for introducing the report of the working group. We also thank Assistant-Secretary-General Michael Sheehan of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for introducing the report of the Secretary-General and ambassador Mselle for introducing the report of the ACABQ.

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, I would like to emphasise the European Union´s strong commitment to United Nations peacekeeping. As we pointed out in our previous general statement under this agenda item, the European Union contributes with troops and civilian police to United Nations peacekeeping throughout the world. We also provide much training in support of this crucial effort.

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union believes that it is essential that rates of reimbursement are set at a level which is fair to all troop contributing countries, as it has to be to the membership at large. The best way to achieve this is by ensuring that the rates have a sound and transparent basis, which accurately reflects true costs incurred by troop contributors. Furthermore, the European Union sees it as vital to ensure that the troops deployed are fully capable of delivering the services for which they were needed, for the benefit of the mission and the security of its staff. In this context, we welcome the outlined measures for pre- and post-deployment inspection, for which necessary resources should be provided. Consideration should also be given to other ways to ensure that peacekeeping operations are conducted effectively.

Mr. Chairman,

As regards the reimbursement of troop costs, the European Union is concerned that the General Assembly has yet to give clear guidance on a methodological basis for this, including how to calculate an equitable rate, or on the content and conduct of surveys of troop contributors. Instead, rates of reimbursement have been set on a wholly ad hoc basis. The European Union agrees with ACABQ´s suggestion that a comprehensive review is still needed and that this review would be facilitated if recourse was made to a group of qualified individuals who could conduct an in depth study of the methodology. It is the opinion of the European Union that before any change of the current rate can be considered, a broad agreement on methodology, as called for by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/229, must be reached, based on the following parameters:

• peacekeeping requires Member States to provide adequately trained and equipped troops;
  
  
• the rate of reimbursement should cover necessary additional costs incurred by troop contributors;
  
  
• calculation of a standard rate should be based on survey data representative of the costs incurred by at least 60% of countries which have contributed troops to peacekeeping operations in the last 3 years;
  
  
• the rate should equitably reflect the varying actual additional costs of troop contributors, in particular any allowances and medical/vaccination costs;
  
  
• reimbursement should be subject to confirmed delivery of specified services by adequately trained and prepared personnel;

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union recognises the comprehensive work undertaken by the post-Phase V Working Group on Contingent-Owned Equipment during its meeting from 15-26 January 2001, and we endorse the recommendations of the ACABQ as mentioned in § 6 of its report (A/55/887).

Furthermore, the European Union agrees with the ACABQ on the need for effective procedures to ascertain the capacity of troop contributors to meet the requirements for wet-lease and self-sustainment provisions of the contingent-owned equipment arrangements. There needs to be a consistent implementation of the standards set out in the contingent-owned equipment manual.

In conclusion, the European Union suggests that there should be a review of the practical aspects of the wet-lease arrangements, including the effectiveness of the procedures to ascertain the capacity of troop contributors to meet the requirements for wet-lease and self-sustainment provisions, the need to ensure the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and the need to minimise delays in processing reimburement.

I thank you.