Mr Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine^*, the Republic of Moldova^*, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, Iceland⁺, Norway⁺, Armenia and San Marino.

Mr Chairman,

We thank you for convening this resumed Session of the Preparatory Commission. We also wish to thank the Executive Secretary (ES) for his Note on the Appointment of a Director at the Provisional Technical Secretariat, and setting out his intention to appoint Ms Xyoli Perez Campos (Mexico) to the position of Director of the International Monitoring System (IMS) Division, for a period of three years.

We consider that a timely appointment will ensure continuity in the leadership and functioning of the IMS Division. The European Union welcomes the intention of the ES to appoint Ms Perez Campos, and notes that it takes into account “competencies, gender, geographical balance and diversity”.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, as well as potential Candidate Country Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+ Iceland and Norway are members of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.