Committee on Relations

with Host Country

231^st Meeting (PM)

host country committee, adopting annual report, reaffirms headquarters agreement,

treaties on diplomatic relations, United Nations privileges

Meeting this afternoon, the Committee on Relations with the Host Country adopted its annual report, reaffirming the Headquarters Agreement, as well as the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

The report (document A/AC.154/2006/CRP.1) says that, during its four previous meetings, the Committee addressed such transportation issues as the use of motor vehicles and parking; acceleration of immigration and customs procedures; entry visas issued by the Host Country; exemption from taxes; Host Country travel regulations; and questions of privileges and immunities.

Noting the great importance of privileges and immunities, the Committee emphasized the need to negotiate solutions to problems that might arise in that regard, the report said.  Regarding the Parking Programme, some permanent missions had experienced problems, and the Committee would work to ensure its proper implementation in a fair, non-discriminatory and effective manner, consistent with international law.  The Host Country was requested to bring other problems, reported by permanent missions or their staff, to the attention of New York City officials.

Concerning entry visas, the Committee anticipated that the Host Country would enhance its efforts to ensure their timely issuance to representatives of Member States, the report stated, noting that a number of delegations had requested a shorter waiting period.  With respect to travel regulations for the personnel of certain missions and Secretariat staff of certain nationalities, some restrictions had been removed in the past year, and the Committee continued to urge the Host Country to eliminate the remaining ones, as soon as possible.  The Committee also stressed the importance of permanent missions and their personnel, as well as Secretariat staff, meeting their financial obligations.

Introducing the report was Marcela Calderón of Costa Rica, the Committee’s Rapporteur, while Polly Ioannou ( Cyprus), facilitator for the negotiations on its recommendations, thanked the representatives of the Host Country, the Russian Federation and Cuba for their constructive attitude during consultations.

In other matters, the Committee elected Banny Marc Aubin ( Côte d’Ivoire) as Vice-Chairperson, by acclamation, to replace Koffi Gaston Yao, also from Côte d’Ivoire.

Among the Host Country Committee’s responsibilities are oversight of practical matters relating to diplomats accredited to the United Nations, such as entry visas, immigration and custom procedures, housing, parking for mission personnel, insurance, education and health.  It also examines problems concerning financial indebtedness, privileges and immunities, as well as public relations to publicize the functions and status of permanent missions to the United Nations.

The 19 members of the Committee are Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Hungary, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

Also in attendance at today’s meeting were Marjorie Tiven, Commissioner of the New York City Commission for the United Nations and Bradford E. Billet, its Deputy Commissioner.

The next meeting of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country will be held in late January, at a date and time to be announced in the Journal.

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For information media • not an official record