text: It is my honour to speak today on behalf of the twelve States members of the European Community. The General Assembly is well aware of the position of the Twelve on apartheid. We strongly condemn it and we are fully committed to its eradication, by peaceful means and without delay. This abhorrent system of racial segregation and discrimination, institutionalized 42 years ago, runs counter to the most fundamental values in which our countries and our peoples believe. We do not need to recall here our policy with regard to apartheid since in the course of the forthcoming forty-fifth session we shall have the opportunity to set it forth in fuller detail. Rather, I should like to concentrate during the present debate on our assessment of the rapid and important developments that are taking place in South Africa. The Assembly has been convened at a time when hopes are running high that the dismantling of apartheid and its replacement by a democratic, united, non-racial society may at last be in prospect. The Twelve participated actively in bringing about the international consensus on the Declaration on apartheid and its destructive consequences, adopted last BCT/at A/44/PV.97 49-50 (Mr. Traxler. Italy) December by the sixteenth special session of the General Assembly, under your presidency. Sir. The Declaration sent a strong signal from the entire international community of the need to abolish apartheid. There have been significant developments since then in South Africa. The report of the Secretary-General of 1 July 1990 on the implementation of the Declaration offers, in this respect, ample evidence of progress. We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General for his work. This report's commendable achievement of providing a comprehensive, accurate and balanced picture of the political process 
analysis: This text appears to be a speech or statement made by representatives of the European Community, condemning apartheid and expressing support for its eradication. The content focuses on the political situation in South Africa, mentioning the Declaration on apartheid and the report of the Secretary-General on its implementation. The tone is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the topic is of international concern and requires a collective response.