Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-04-10-Speech-4-126"
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"en.20030410.6.4-126"2
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". – Mr President, this is an important issue.
The Commission is monitoring very closely the situation in Guatemala, where, as a number of speakers have said this afternoon, mounting infringements of the rule of law and human rights, as well as the deepening polarisation within Guatemalan society, are causing increasing political and social tension on the eve of the 2003 elections.
At the same time, difficult access to food, extreme poverty and social protest are increasingly alarming issues. Within this unfortunate and unhappy scenario, in line with the resolution on Guatemala that the European Parliament issued in April 2002, the Commission is reinforcing the political dialogue and cooperation initiatives. Our objective is to encourage the Guatemalan institutions and society to relaunch a national agenda based on the peace accords, good governance and the fight against poverty.
From the point of view of the political dialogue, the Commission and the Member States constantly remind the Guatemalan public institutions of the importance of respecting the dignity and securing the wellbeing of all Guatemalan people on the basis of the principles of democracy, equality, non-discrimination and social justice. During the last months, the Commission has also participated in various EU actions to transmit to the Supreme Court of Justice and the local authorities our preoccupation about the increasing wave of threats, attacks and violence in that country.
In May 2002 the Commission adopted a strategy for cooperation with Guatemala during the period 2002 to 2006. That strategy is aimed at sustaining the peace accords and breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion that affects the country. The strategy was established with the large-scale participation of the Guatemalan Government, Member States and local and European civil society. It will focus on three main areas: first, consolidation of the rule of law and protection of human rights; secondly, local and rural development based on participation, inclusion and equity; and thirdly, equitable economic growth and job creation.
The indicative financial resources are EUR 93 million for the period 2002 to 2006. It is also worth mentioning that Guatemala is a priority country under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights.
As Members of Parliament will know, there will be a further Consultative Group meeting scheduled in Guatemala City for 13 and 14 May 2003. At that meeting the Commission and Member States will urge the Guatemalan authorities and society to renew efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Agenda signed in 1996, especially in those areas where unsatisfactory results have been registered so far, such as the justice system, rural development, and the situation of the indigenous people. We shall also ask for the allocation of adequate budgetary resources for social expenditure.
Finally, the Commission stands ready to support Guatemala in monitoring the next electoral process and guaranteeing a transparent and democratic transfer of power – as it did for the last elections in 1999. During his visit to Brussels in January 2003 Minister Gutiérrez, asked for the support of the European Union. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal has also asked for our support. The Commission and Member States will decide whether to prepare an EU electoral observation mission on the basis of an exploratory mission that will be sent in May 2003."@en1
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