Veiligheidsraad Verenigde Naties: bedreiging internationale vrede en veiligheid veroorzaakt door terroristische aanslagen (en)

Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ambassador Sanja Stiglic Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union.

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 Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

Mr. President,

The EU strongly supports the work of CTC and CTED in promoting and monitoring the implementation of resolutions 1373 and 1624 and welcomes the recent progress in their work. We look forward to further close and active cooperation with the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) and its Executive Director, Mr. Mike Smith.

Terrorism is a global threat that requires a global and comprehensive response. In this regard, the United Nations is the only truly global forum and the Security Council has a pivotal role in international action against terrorism. The EU reiterates once again that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The EU is convinced that any measures taken to fight this scourge must be in accordance with obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee, and international humanitarian law.

The EU recalls the extension of CTED's mandate on December 10th, by the SC res. 1787, and supports further extension of CTED's mandate. The EU is convinced that this is a wise decision that will substantially contribute to the efficiency of the global fight against terrorism.

Mr. President,

The EU supports the effective continuation of CTED's work of facilitating capacity building and advising the CTC on issues of international law, in particular international human rights, refugee, and international humanitarian law in order to enhance the CTC's ability to monitor implementation of resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624. We recognize the crucial role of CTED in supporting the CTC in the fulfillment of its mandate. CTED has developed a constant dialogue and cooperation with Member States, through visiting selected States, facilitating technical assistance and work to identify and help ensure that the priority needs of Member States can be met, and developing and drafting the Preliminary Implementation Assessments (PIA).

The EU welcomes and fully supports the Organizational plan for the Counter-terrorism Executive Directorate prepared by its Executive Director, Mike Smith, and approved by the CTC. The EU believes that the revised Organizational plan provides an excellent basis for the future CTED's work. Proposals for enhanced monitoring, cooperation and coordination, strengthened facilitation of technical assistance and the need for ensuring consistency of activities and improved exchange of information are measures that will without any doubt contribute to the efficient and transparent CTED's work.

Mr. President,

The EU therefore fully agrees that CTED should continue to advise the CTC, and in accordance with its mandate, even strengthen its role in facilitating technical assistance for the implementation of resolution 1373 and enhancing Member States' capacity to identify and implement effective measures to fulfill their obligations, facilitating the delivery of offering assistance to develop capabilities to protect their critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks. The EU therefore considers it important to maintain a tailored dialogue among CTED, the CTC and Member States that would allow for regular exchange of information among the relevant entities.

We have always supported increased co-ordination and co-operation between the three Security Council Committees and their experts. In this regard we support the decision to improve engagement with donors, enhance the understanding of the role of CTED and strengthen cooperation between CTED and the experts of the Security Council's Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1540 (2004), and other relevant institutions such as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Proposed modifications to the working methods and the revised operational structure will further enhance CTED's active role in combating terrorism.

The EU strongly supports the United Nations counter-terrorism co-operation and technical assistance projects with Regional Organizations. Relevant UN bodies are regularly invited to attend EU Council Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (COTER) meetings, including the UN Countering Terrorism Implementation Task Force and members of CTED.

Mr. President,

The EU attaches importance to all different parts of the UN playing their full role in a coordinated way to tackle terrorism. In this regard one of the priorities contained in the revised Organizational plan is the active participation of CTED in the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and maintaining close, collaborative and cooperative relations with the other members of the CTITF. The EU considers that the expert bodies of the three SC Committees bodies, including CTED, play an important role in the implementation of the Global UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the EU is further convinced that CTED will continue to substantially build upon and complement other global counter terrorism activities.

Thank You, Mr. President.

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