The Government decided today to contribute support to the EU mission in Aceh Province in Indonesia. Sweden will be the only country providing logistical assistance to EU personnel in the area.
On 15 August, the Government of Indonesia and the leadership of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) are expected to sign a peace agreement in Helsinki. The peace treaty is a historic agreement and a solution to many years of conflict in Aceh Province. The Indonesian Government and GAM have asked the EU to monitor the agreement. The EU observer mission will be a civilian operation whose assignment will be to monitor implementation of the peace agreement.
The Government decided today to contribute logistical support to the EU mission and to allocate up to SEK 40 million for the purpose via Sida's budget. The operation will be carried out by the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, which will initially provide about eight staff members. Their task will include ensuring that the EU observers have access to office facilities, transport, telecommunications and IT. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency is prepared to travel to Aceh on Wednesday this week. The Swedish support will enable EU personnel to take up their positions swiftly so as to be able to monitor the agreement, which is to enter into force on 15 August.
"The peace agreement is a unique opportunity for lasting peace in Aceh Province and the EU observers will fulfil an important function in monitoring it," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin Jämtin.
"Earlier this summer the Government allocated SEK 150 million to reconstruction after the tsunami disaster in Indonesia. Sweden's contribution to the EU mission is an additional part of the long-term support for peace and development that we are giving to the region," Ms Jämtin continues.
"The Swedish Rescue Services Agency has a very good international reputation for its international disaster and aid operations and is in demand as a partner in cooperative activities. In response to the tsunami disaster, for example, the Swedish Rescue Services Agency is on the ground in Indonesia and Sri Lanka to support UN aid efforts," says Minister for Defence Leni Björklund.
"The Swedish Rescue Services Agency will now have the task of supporting EU efforts to monitor the peace agreement in Indonesia. The fact that this task has been assigned to the Swedish Rescue Services Agency is further evidence of Sweden's expertise in the field of logistics," adds Ms Björklund.
Facts about the EU mission
- On 17 July 2005 the Indonesian Government and the leadership of GAM agreed on a peace treaty.
- After the tsunami disaster the political will existed for renewed dialogue between the parties.
- The parties have turned to the EU to request it to monitor the treaty, and the EU has agreed to do so.
- The EU plans to monitor implementation of the agreement for a period of six months.
- The EU mission will be civilian and will consist of about 200 observers.
Contact:
Nina Blomberg, Political Adviser, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, +46 8 4051981
Maria Weimer, European Security Policy Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, +46 8 4055418, +46 732 437773
Markus Planmo, Political Adviser, Ministry of Defence, +46 8 4052531, +46 70 5533118