Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ms Mateja Bizilj, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations
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Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia[1] 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 country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
Mr Chairman,
At the outset, let me thank the Deputy Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Kim Won-soo for the introducing of the report of Secretary-General on Strengthening investigations, as well as the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Ms. Inga-Britt Ahlenius for the introducing of the report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on strengthening its investigation function. Let me also thank the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), Ms. Susan McLurg, for the presentation of related report.
The European Union believes that the report of the Secretary-General, with the annexed report of the OIOS, gives useful information on the functions, structure and work processes of the Investigations Division of the OIOS with a view to strengthening the investigation function, based on the results of the ongoing examination and rationalization of the investigation caseload and the overall review of the capacity of the Investigations Division.
The Secretary-General’s report covers, among other things, important issues relating to operational strategies and procedures for investigations. We believe that the elaboration of comprehensive standard operating procedures, including fairness and due process considerations, will need to be handled with care and take into consideration concerns raised.
The European Union stands ready to engage constructively in and bring forward the negotiations on these important issues with a view to strengthening the investigation function in a way that accommodates all views expressed. We believe that the conclusions and recommendations of the ACABQ will form a good basis for our further deliberations.
I thank you Mr Chairman.
[1] Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
