UN: EU Statement on Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order

UN 61st Session; III Committee, Agenda Item 67(b): Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order (A/C.3/61/L.24)

Explanation of Vote on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Kirsti Pohjankukka, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations

New York, 16 November 2006

Mr. Chairperson,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, 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 and Moldova align themselves with this explanation of vote.

*) Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Mr. Chairperson,

The EU believes that it is necessary to continue to work towards a democratic and equitable order. It fully recognizes that the issues raised in the resolution are important and require careful analysis and action by all nations.

However, the EU is of the view that several elements introduced in the text before us move far beyond the scope of the Third Committee, and are not dealt with in a comprehensive and holistic way, but are quoted rather selectively and randomly, without placing them in their appropriate context.

The resolution underlines the international obligations to control the mechanisms of globalization, while omitting the duties and obligations of States in this regard, a consideration to which the EU attaches great importance.

Bearing in mind the nature and content of this draft resolution, the EU would like to reiterate that the Third Committee is not a suitable forum to address these issues.

Moreover, the EU would also like to state that it does not consider the language of OP12 of L.24 to prejudge the outcome of the review process by the Working Group of the Human Rights Concil of all mandates, mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the Commission on Human Rights.

For these reasons, the EU will vote against the draft resolution contained in document L.24.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson