Ecosoc: Statement by the EU Presidency on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

Ecosoc - Substantive Session
Geneva, 3-28 July 2006
General Segment

Statement on behalf of the European Union
By Ms. Anne Saloranta, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations

"Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations"

(item 9)

Geneva, 27 July 2006
Check against delivery

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak for 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 and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

I would like to make this statement regarding the draft resolution on "Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations".

While acknowledging the flexibility shown during the negotiations of this resolution, the Members of the European Union who are also members of the Economic and Social Council will, however, as in previous years abstain during the vote on this resolution.

The European Union believes that the issues dealt with in the resolution are not under the competence of ECOSOC.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

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