PR: 27

Jakarta, 15 September 2005

On 15 September, the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Jack Straw, speaking for the EU Presidency, welcomed the start of formal implementation of the peace agreement in Aceh, and highlighted the support that the EU and five ASEAN Contributing Countries were providing through the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM). He said,

As Presidency of the EU, I warmly welcome the start of formal implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement in Helsinki on 15 August.

The peaceful settlement of the internal conflict in Aceh will be of great benefit to Indonesia and the people of Aceh, as well as providing a very positive example regionally and internationally. It will greatly assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Aceh following the tragic tsunami there last December.

The EU stands ready to do what we can in support of the peace process, and will do so with full respect for Indonesia's territorial integrity. We have responded positively to the Government of Indonesia's invitation to participate in the Aceh Monitoring Mission, which begins formal monitoring today, and are looking forward to working closely with ASEAN and other contributing country partners. The EU is also ready to support the implementation of the peace process financially and through the provision of technical assistance.

The launch of this mission also marks a new departure for European Security and Defence Policy. This will be its first mission in Asia, its first in cooperation with ASEAN partners, and its first to carry out monitoring of this kind. With its wide range of security instruments, the EU is uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to international conflict resolution and crisis management.

Notes for Editors:

1. Under the 15 August Memorandum of Understanding between the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), 15 September marks the start of the decommissioning of GAM weapons and the relocation of non-local military and police forces.

2. In response to an invitation from the Indonesian government, the EU, five contributing countries from ASEAN - Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - are providing monitors for the peace process. Monitors from Norway and Switzerland will also participate in the AMM. The purpose of the joint mission is to support the implementation of the peace agreement.

3. The AMM will be a civilian mission of approximately 240 unarmed personnel. Its tasks are defined in the MoU. They include monitoring GAM demobilisation and decommissioning of armaments, and monitoring the relocation of non-Acehnese military and police.