PRESS CONFERENCE BY EUROPEAN UNION
Press Briefing
PRESS CONFERENCE BY EUROPEAN UNION
19960926
FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT ONLY
The Deputy President and Foreign Minister of Ireland, Dick Spring, speaking in his capacity as President of the European Union's Council of Ministers, told correspondents at a Headquarter's press conference today that his address to the United Nations General Assembly was the Union's most comprehensive and authoritative expression of its position on various international issues. He said his statement had strongly endorsed the paramount importance of the United Nations as an instrument of international cooperation. It was an irreplaceable force for promoting peace, economic progress, human rights and humanitarian action. And the Union was determined to ensure that the Organization was equipped to handle the tasks it would face in the next century.
The European Union contributed more than 35 per cent of the United Nations regular budget, more than 37 per cent of the peace-keeping budget and provided a majority of current peace-keeping personnel, Mr. Spring continued. Increased emphasis on preventive diplomacy, better planning and a rapid response to crises were needed to meet future challenges. The Irish Government had decided to commit up to 850 personnel to the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements, including two officers to the rapid deployment unit at Headquarters.
Mr. Spring said that, unfortunately, the United Nations was gravely handicapped by the non-payment of budget contributions, which he regarded as "a poison in the UN system". Earlier this year, the Union had presented a set of proposals aimed at securing the United Nations finances. It was encouraging to hear promises being made this week, but the Union would like to see the outstanding contributions paid.
The Union had been engaged in intensive discussions with many of the Union's dialogue partners, including the United States Secretary of State, and the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation, China and Japan, he continued. The Union's relationship with the United States was particularly vital, as it was based on an identity of interests far stronger than any of the differences that had arisen over European opposition to the extra- territorial affects of American legislation. The Irish Presidency's priority was to develop a new trans-Atlantic agenda, which would form "the basis for an even closer and more comprehensive EU-US relationship tuned to current and future needs," Mr. Spring added.
He said a number of discussions, including those with United States Secretary of State Warren Christopher, had focused on the need to restore
momentum into the Middle East peace process. The current wave of unrest and violence was deeply worrying and highlighted the dangers facing the region and the absolute necessity of sustaining and developing the peace process. Yesterday, the European Union troika -- present, past and future Presidents -- had met with Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy. It was his second meeting with Mr. Levy in recent days and reflected a determination to continue the Union's active support for a lasting settlement in the Middle East region.
Mr. Spring said he had come to the press conference directly from a ministerial meeting of the contact group on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Following the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovenia, the focus would be on building common institutions, economic reconstruction and providing a secure foundation for a peaceful future in the region. That process would require concerted international cooperation and effort, particularly in the next two years. He had also met in the last three days with former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere to discuss the crisis in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
What were the Union's aspirations regarding the Security Council and what were the chances of achieving them? a correspondent asked. Mr. Spring said there was no European Union position regarding the Council, although many countries had said they would like to see reform. Funding was one of the most vital and pressing issues facing the United Nations, which was only as strong as its component parts and the contributions made to it. The Union paid its dues on time and in full, and it asked other States to do likewise. It was very important that outstanding debts were paid without any linkage to preconditions for reforms, although they were necessary.
A correspondent asked what Mr. Spring had said during his meeting with Mr. Levy yesterday and would he comment on today's events in Israel. Mr. Spring replied that he had conveyed to the Israeli Foreign Minister the Union's "deepest concern with the lack of momentum in the actual peace process" and in the delivery and development of the Oslo and Madrid accords. He had emphasized the need for Israel to show a renewed commitment to the process, because there was widespread concern -- and not just in the Union -- about Israel's commitment to delivering on the basis of the accords agreed to by the previous government. Continuing, Mr. Spring said he had also stressed the importance of signals by Israel. Decisions, like the one to open the tunnel that caused the current difficulties, should be avoided in a particularly tense, fragile situation. Great care should be taken in terms of any action that could cause incidents and loss of life. It was also important that the Israeli leadership engage in ongoing discussions with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat, and his colleagues, to show the world that the Israeli Government was determined to fulfil the peace accords as quickly as possible.
European Union Press Conference - 3 - 26 September 1996
Fairly wide policy differences had been expressed by various European Ministers in their statements to the Assembly, a correspondent said. France was almost on a collision course with the United States, whereas Germany's position was much closer to Washington's and Italy's was mid-way. How did Mr. Spring plan to create a new agenda with the United States given those divergent views? he asked. Mr. Spring replied that, from time to time, there were divergent views among the 15 Union members. The President's responsibility was to bring the partners together in agreement. They were working in the context of an intergovernmental conference to examine institutional changes necessary for the further development and evolution of common foreign and security policy. Continuing, Mr. Spring said the conference would result in a far higher and more sophisticated level of planning and analysis within the Union. Despite periodic differences -- like the current opposition to the United States Helms-Burton legislation -- there was a deep recognition within both the European Union and the United States that the trans-Atlantic alliance was very important. It should be sustained and developed as it had an important role to play in world politics.
Would the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, make a good Secretary- General? a correspondent asked. Mr. Spring said the President of Ireland was an excellent President of Ireland, and he was sure she would take up any task or position and do it excellently.
Last week, the European Parliament voted to block millions of dollars in aid to Turkey because Ankara had not lived up to its promise to eliminate human rights abuses, a correspondent said. The Turkish Foreign Minister called the decision unfair and the German Foreign Minister called the resolution "completely wrong", claiming that human rights abuses in Turkey were overemphasized, while problems in other countries were judged by other standards. Would Mr. Spring comment? Relations between Turkey and the Union were developing, Mr. Spring said, citing the ratification of the customs union. The European Parliament expressed in "fairly strident terms" its concern with the situation in Turkey on human rights and other issues. The Presidency wanted to develop the relationship with Turkey, which had a major role to play in the politics, security and stability of the Asian region. The relationship and its impact on the question of Cyprus, was obviously very significant. He said he had met with Turkish Foreign Minster Tansu Ciller yesterday in an effort to remove any misunderstandings.
A correspondent asked for comment on the European parliament's support for Taiwan province of China, becoming a member of the United Nations. Mr. Spring said he was not sure there was a European Union position on the issue. The Irish Government's position was that there was one China and he had been reliably informed that was the European position as well.
What divergent issues had Mr. Spring discussed with the United States Secretary of State yesterday? a correspondent asked. Mr. Spring said differences of opinion regarding the extra-territoriality of the Helms-Burton
European Union Press Conference - 4 - 26 September 1996
legislation had been reiterated. The legislation was a cause for serious concern and difficulties between the United States and the Union. However, there was a great deal of commonality in approach. Both wanted to see democracy, respect for human rights and economic development in Cuba. There were differences on how to achieve that and the Union disagreed fundamentally with the United States approach. He had also discussed the Middle East and the situation in the former Yugoslavia -- as the United States and the Union were actively involved together in those areas. There was a new phase in the former Yugoslavia and a need for the international community to recognize the requirement for a significant international presence there in the foreseeable future.
The clock was about to start ticking on the question of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, but Turkish opposition was adamant pending a settlement, a correspondent said. How would the Union deal with the question and would there be a collision course? he asked. Mr. Spring said it had been a difficult summer on Cyprus, but calm had been restored. The Union was very supportive of the Secretary-General's efforts to achieve a lasting settlement. He believed the accession offered the best opportunity in the last 25 years for potential and movement on the Cyprus question. The prospect of joining the Union had enormous economic, political and security benefits for the whole island and the Union had spent considerable time outlining them to both parties. The accession negotiations might be a catalyst to renew the momentum that, at the moment, was sadly lacking between the parties.
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