Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
54 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in East Timor and on the negotiations between East Timor and the Australian Government regarding maritime boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18778/04]
View answerWith continuing support from the international community, including from Ireland and the EU as a whole, the Government and people of Timor Leste have continued to make good progress in building up their country, including through the development of their economy and in the consolidation of their democratic institutions. On 18 February 2004, the United Nations Secretary General provided a report on Timor Leste to the Security Council. He observed that remarkable achievements had been registered by the new state. In previous reports, he had already commented on advances in the areas of governance, enactment of legislation, rehabilitation of infrastructure, responsible development planning and budgetary discipline, the country's regional integration, and, most importantly, the commitment to democratic norms and personal freedoms. Secretary General Annan in his February 2004 report, also declared that a modest additional effort on the part of the international community would be invaluable in allowing Timor Leste to reach a threshold of self-sufficiency.
On 21 May 2002, the United Nations Security Council established a UN Mission of Support in East Timor, UNMISET. On 14 May 2004, by Resolution 1543 (2004), the Security Council authorised, as recommended by the Secretary General, the extension of UNMISET for a consolidation phase and anticipated that its mandate would be completed on 20 May 2005. On 19 May 2004, UNMISET handed over all official responsibility for policing and external security to the Government of Timor Leste. Resolution 1543 highlights the need to ensure against impunity for those who have committed criminal acts. It stresses in particular the need for the serious crimes unit, set up under UNMISET, to investigate serious crimes committed in the period leading up to Timor Leste's independence, to complete all investigations by November 2004, and to conclude trials and other activities no later than 20 May 2005. The resolution calls for continued and co-ordinated donor and UN support to Timor Leste. Finally, it calls on the UN Secretary General to report to the Security Council every three months on the situation in Timor Leste.
Despite continued progress, and the achievements of the past three years, Timor Leste continues to face a number of major challenges. These include the building up of support for core administrative capacities, strengthening the justice system and creating a favourable climate for sustainable social and economic development. Timor Leste remains one of the poorest nations in the world and there remains a critical need for the continued support of the international community.
Negotiations on the definition of maritime boundaries can be complex. Timor Leste and Australia make overlapping claims to parts of the continental shelf in the Timor Sea, an area understood to contain large reserves of oil and gas. Pending agreement on the maritime boundary between the two countries, Australia and Timor Leste concluded the Timor Sea Treaty in May 2002, which accords to Timor Leste 90% of the revenue from a joint development area in the Timor Sea. This issue was discussed at the EU-Australia ministerial Troika on 21 January, when Foreign Minister Downer advised us that Australia is committed to resolving this issue with Timor Leste. The issue was also discussed at official level in an EU-Australia Troika meeting at Brussels on 10 June. I understand in the meantime, that negotiations continue to take place at official level to resolve the wider maritime boundary dispute.
In March 2003, the Government announced that Ireland had accorded Timor Leste programme country status for development co-operation purposes. This announcement reflects a recognition of the significant progress made to date in Timor Leste and demonstrates our continuing commitment to the political and socio-economic development of Timor Leste and the promotion of good governance and human rights in these crucial formative years. The Ireland Aid Timor Leste country strategy covers the period 2003-05 and provides for funding of more than €11 million. Ireland will continue to play its part in the provision of ongoing international support for Timor Leste and will continue to follow developments there very closely.
