The Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations

Finnish Presidency of the European Union

New York, November 29, 1999

Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court

Recent events have again highlighted the need for the early establishment of the International Criminal Court. Once in existence and fully operational, the ICC will be a new and a powerful tool to address and to deter the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, thereby helping to enhance respect for and implementation of the fundamental international rules that protect human life and dignity. Breaking the impunity and establishing individual accountability for atrocities strengthens the rule of law and contributes to making the world a more peaceful place.

Important further steps need to be taken to make the Court a reality. The European Union welcomes the steady growth of the number of signatures to the Rome Statute as well as the first ratifications. We urge all States to sign and ratify the Statute as a matter of priority so that the entry into force of the Statute can be secured at an early date. All the member States of the EU are signatories to the Rome Statute and have undertaken to complete their respective constitutional procedures required for ratification most expeditiously, Italy having already attained that goal. Most of the other EU member States are expected to ratify the Statute by the end of the year 2000. The member States of the European Union as well as the European Commission have taken and supported a number of initiatives promoting the ratification of the Statute in other countries, including legal assistance. Contributions in this field by the Non-governmental Organisations dedicated to promoting the awareness of the Rome Statute and it

s early ratification are also appreciated and supported.

A lot has been accomplished in the two meetings of the Preparatory Commission for the ICC this year. The serious and committed work of a great number of delegations, the open and constructive atmosphere of the deliberations as well as the result-oriented and effective working methods have enabled the three working groups to produce excellent results. At the same time, it is clear that much remains to be done.

During the third session of the Preparatory Commission, to be held in New York from 29 November to 17 December, all efforts should be directed towards expediting the work so that the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the Court as well as the Elements of Crimes can be finalised by the deadline set for 30 June 2000. After this target date the Preparatory Commission will continue its work in conformity with its mandate.

The European Union re-emphasizes that in carrying out the tasks within its mandate, the Preparatory Commission has to respect the letter and spirit of the Rome Statute, and the balance achieved therein.

The progress made in the past few years towards the establishment of the International Criminal Court would not have been possible without the large and extensive participation of delegations from all countries and the co-operation and commitment of a great number of national and international institutions as well as numerous Non-Governmental Organisations and individuals. Likewise, for the Court to come into operation early and to be fully effective, the widest support of the international community is needed.

The European Union reiterates its willingness to co-operate constructively with all delegations in order to reach a common understanding on the outstanding issues in the Preparatory Commission.

The European Union remains fully committed to the integrity of the Rome Statute and to its early entry into force. We are also committed to a universal adherence to the Rome Statute and to the realisation of an effective, functioning and credible ICC in close relationship with