Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The following countries align themselves with this statement: The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia[1], the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia.

Mr. Chairman,

The EU welcomes this opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the Secretary-General’s Symposium on Supporting the Victims of Terrorism which took place in New York on 9 September 2009. The Symposium provided a forum in which the voices of the victims of terrorism were heard for the first time on a global level. The September event enabled the Member States, NGOs and the UN to share their experiences and perspectives on measures to assist the victims.

The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by Member States in 2006, urges an end to the dehumanization of victims of terrorism and envisages, particularly in its first and fourth pillars, national systems set to protect the human rights and to promote the needs of victims and their families.

The EU believes that global effort is necessary to ensure that the tragic consequences of terrorism are not forgotten. We are convinced that the international community has the responsibility to give due attention to those who have been attacked, injured and traumatized and to those who have lost their lives or their loved ones. In this view, the EU is ready to engage in a global awareness campaign supporting the victims of terrorism.

In September, the participants in the Symposium started to develop jointly and under the UN auspices several concrete themes. The EU is convinced this dialogue needs to continue. The Symposium highlighted the importance of strengthening the status of victims of terrorism and emphasized that physical and psycho-social treatment for victims of terrorism should be easily accessible. Enhanced solidarity with and support to the victims will foster their global recognition.

Mr. Chairman,

A week ago, the EU celebrated the European Day of Victims of Terrorism. This anniversary contributes to the promotion of international solidarity in support of victims of terrorism and their families. The report presented to us today is an important step towards the same goal and provides us with recommendations that EU undertakes to study carefully.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.