PRESS CONFERENCE BY EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONER FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The European Union’s long-standing relationship with the United Nations was at a very important stage today and its commitment to the Organization went far beyond development and humanitarian issues, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the regional body’s Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, said at a Headquarters press conference this morning.

Briefing correspondents on her earlier appointment with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she said that relationship was based on strong convergent objectives in many areas, and that the two organizations needed each other today more than ever.  The meeting with the Secretary-General had focused mainly on the Middle East, both the European Union and the United Nations being members of the Quartet, which was due to hold its next meeting in early May, most probably in Egypt.

Noting that she and the Secretary-General had both visited the region recently, she said the latest developments there –- the Arab League Peace Initiative, the formation of the Palestinian National Unity Government and the regular meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas -- had given new momentum to the peace process.  The new Government was an important step towards Palestinian unity, and the European Commission stood by its commitment to it, depending on how its actions reflected Quartet principles.

She said that, after meeting with Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayat in Brussels two days ago, she could clearly say he endorsed those principles and was among those who believed in a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  While the European Union would “open up” towards technical assistance to bring the Finance Ministry into the right position to receive donor funds, that would not happen overnight, as Mr Fayat himself had acknowledged.  However, the European Union would continue to assist them through the Temporary International Mechanism, which had been extended for another three months at the last Quartet meeting.

Turning to Lebanon, she said she had expressed appreciation to the Secretary-General for the “excellent” work that Serge Brammertz was doing in heading the investigation into the assassinations of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others.  The European Union also commended “very strongly” efforts by the Arab League, the United Nations and others working to promote an intra-Lebanese agreement on resolving the political crisis in that country.  On Iraq, the European Union shared the Secretary-General’s concern over the deteriorating security situation and increasing sectarian violence.

She said she had reiterated to the Secretary-General the Union’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations in Afghanistan, whose problems could not be solved without stronger governance, respect for the rule of law and reform of the police and judiciary.  Only an end to impunity and a reduction in corruption could improve the situation in that country, although there were many other big challenges, including drugs.  Anti-drug efforts had met with some success in working with local communities to provide alternative livelihoods in the northern provinces.

A correspondent asked how technical assistance funding would be transferred into Palestinian Authority banks and what form that aid would take.  What time frame was envisaged for delivery?

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner clarified that Finance Minister Fayat had asked for €1.3 million to €1.4 million, but did not expect the European Union to provide the whole amount.  He had sought help from the international community, including the Arab States, whose significant pledges had not yet been fulfilled.  He hoped also to obtain $700 million in funds withheld by Israel.  With respect to technical assistance, there was a need to make the Finance Ministry more transparent and to build capacity.  The time frame depended on the Palestinians.  Regarding funds, the European Union was looking to see how the National Unity Government respected the Quartet principles.

In response to another question, she said she and the Secretary-General had not talked about Kosovo, because most of their meeting had been spent discussing the Middle East.  The question of Kosovo was before the Security Council, where it would remain for “a few more months” of intensive work.  However, the European Union was totally in favour of the proposal put forward by Martti Ahtisaari, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Future Status Process of Kosovo.

Asked whether she was concerned that Russian objections could create more obstacles to achieving a final solution in Kosovo, she said the European Union was aware of the Russian Federation’s position and that it must work with the Russians.  Failure to find a solution might result in violence, which everyone wished to avoid.

Another correspondent asked whether the upcoming European Union review of policy towards Cuba would favour the dialogue proposed by the Spanish Foreign Minister or sanctions.

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner said that, for the time being, the European Union had not reviewed its common position, which, while allowing for high-level contacts, required that meetings with dissidents and human rights issues be on the table.

Asked whether she had raised the issue of a Chapter VII mandate for the proposed international tribunal for Lebanon, she said the question had been raised, but the Secretary-General was still trying, through his envoys and good offices, to ensure a Lebanese solution before other options were tried.

Responding to another journalist’s question about a European Union strategy for providing alternatives livelihoods to match the profits derived from poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, she said that was only one possible idea.  While there had been a good response in the north, the authorities must be committed and avoid benefiting from drugs.

Asked what the European Union would do about “frozen conflicts” around the Black Sea, she said it had action plans with all the countries in the South Caucasus region to support economic and political reforms and efforts to bring those countries closer to European Union values.  While those action plans could not solve the frozen conflicts, they could help to open up economic opportunities and to boost confidence-building measures that could enhance the environment in Georgia, where the European Union had started working with South Ossetia and the de facto authorities in Abkhazia.  However, it was a slow process owing to the low level of mutual confidence.

Responding to a question about the recent blocking of the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Georgia, from addressing the Security Council, she pointed out that, while he was a de facto Foreign Minister, he was certainly not recognized and the decision had been correct.

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For information media • not an official record