Summary: 23 July 2009, Geneva - Statement by Johan Rutgersson, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union, ECOSOC - SUBSTANTIVE SESSION 2009, 6 - 30 July 2009, General Segment: "Long-term programme of support for Haiti" (item 7(d))
Madam President,
I have the honour 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, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia, align themselves with this declaration.
The European Union welcomes the resolution on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, and the report of the Group and its recommendations.
Haiti faces significant development challenges. The social and economic situation in the country remains extremely fragile. Vulnerability to extreme weather is a recurring obstacle to progress. Tangible social and economic progress is needed for long-lasting peace and security. Continued implementation of the National Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper by the Government of Haiti and all relevant political actors is necessary in order to respond to the most pressing needs of the country.
The European Union welcomes the nomination of a United Nation Special Envoy for Haiti. The United Nations Special Envoy has helped to keep Haiti high on the international agenda, as well as to promote the effective use of capacities and resources.
The European Union will provide EUR 291 million in development assistance to Haiti for the period 2008 to 2013. The focal areas of the European Commission Support Strategy for Haiti will be support for infrastructure and governance. General budget support will further assist the Government's macroeconomic reforms and contribute to the consolidation of the rule of law. In addition, the European Union will support a bi-national programme, including local development of the Dominico-Haitian border region. The European Union also plans a Technical Cooperation Facility related to the EU-ACP/Haiti partnership.
The European Commission Support Strategy for Haiti emanates from a coordinated process among representatives from the Government of Haiti, other donor States represented in the country and non-state actors. As a result, the European Union assistance programme focuses on areas of its comparative advantage in the country, in line with the Government's priorities.
Madam President,
The European Union commends the progress made in the security and rule of law sectors in Haiti, as well as the efforts made by the Haitian authorities towards the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. However, as recommended in the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, further work is needed to integrate the gender dimension in all social and economic development policies in Haiti.
The European Union commends the resolution on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti.
Thank you.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.