Statement by the Representative of Cyprus
Ambassador Constantine Moushoutas
at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly
on Agenda Item 161:

Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country

November 15, 2000

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the sponsors Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’ Ivoire, and my own country, draft resolution A/C.6/55/L.9 on the item “Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country”.

The bulk of the resolution is an updated version of the one adopted by consensus during the 54^th General Assembly Session last year.

Endorsing the recommendations and conclusions of the Committee found in para. 62 of its report, the draft incorporates also three new paragraphs.

1. The Third preambular paragraph, which recalls that in accordance with G.A. resolution 2819 para. 7, the Committee should consider and advise the host country on issues arising in connection with the implementation of the Headquarters Agreement.

2. The second operative paragraph, in which the Committee takes note of the opinion of the Legal Counsel of 1 September 2000, concerning the issuance of visas for UN related meetings.

3. Operative paragraph 6, in which the Committee anticipates that the host country will continue to ensure the issuance in a timely manner, entry visas to representatives of member states, in accordance with the Headquarters Agreement.

The main body of the resolution contains, as in previous years, provisions:

a.       Of the need for effective measures to prevent any acts of violating the security of missions,

b.      On travel controls,

c.       On the maintenance of appropriate conditions for the normal work of the delegations,

d.      On steps to resolve problems relating to parking, and of course,

e.       The appreciation for the efforts made to the host country.

The resolution finally requests the Secretary-General to remain actively engaged in all aspects of the work of the Committee and decides to include this item in the Agenda of the 56^th Session.

Considering that the three new paragraphs form part of the much negotiated and agreed upon text of recommendations and conclusions of the report of the Committee, para.62, and considering further that the adoption of resolutions of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country are carried by consensus, it is the hope of the sponsors that the said resolution L.9 will also be adopted without a vote, as in the past years.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  

* * * * *

Back