UN: EU Statement on the Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country
UN 61st Session; VI Committee, Agenda Item 148: Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country
New York, 9 November 2006
Statement by Ms. Anna Sotaniemi, Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union
61st session of the United Nations General Assembly VI Committee
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Mr. Chairman,
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 countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Mr. Chairman,
Let me first congratulate Ambassador Mavroyiannis of Cyprus for presenting the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country. 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 work of the Committee which continues to serve as an important and necessary venue for considering the various issues and problems that Missions accredited to the UN may face.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union also wishes to express its appreciation to the host country for its continuous efforts to accommodate the needs and requirements of the vast diplomatic community in New York. The European Union remains assured of the host country's full commitment to taking all measures needed to guarantee the smooth functioning of the missions.
Mr. Chairman,
The Committee deals with a variety of issues ranging form diplomatic parking to diplomatic privileges and immunities. The European Union has noted with appreciation the questionnaire distributed by the Chairman of the Committee to all Permanent Representatives concerning the implementation of the Parking Programme for Diplomatic Vehicles, to further the decision of the Committee to conduct a review of the implementation of the Programme. The European Union finds the continuing process to review the functioning and the implementation of the Programme important and encourages all Missions to respond to the questionnaire in the given timeframe. A high number of responses are needed to ascertain the validity and reliability of the data collected.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union has studied carefully the report of the Committee and fully endorses its conclusions and recommendations. The European Union remains convinced that under the able and knowledgeable leadership of Ambassador Mavroyiannis together with the spirit of co-operation and in full observance of international law, the issues raised at the Committee continue to be resolved in a manner agreeable to all parties concerned.
I thank you.