YouSaid · the spoken record

Dalia Grybanskaite

lines on the record
14
first
2011-09-24
most recent
2013-09-24
sittings or episodes
2
sources
un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

  1. “There is no place for forced choices, open threats or demonstrations of power. The international community, especially the United Nations, should empower States to realize such self-determination. I urge us all to give the matter our very careful attention.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  2. “Even Lithuania, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union and has successfully consolidated its course of development, is under similar pressure. Barriers to travel, unreasonable delays in cargo transportation, the milk wars — those are just a few very recent controversial examples. For nations, the decision is really difficult to make when free choice means being threatened with gas-price increases and blocked trade, instead of receiving support and advice. Under such pressure, it is hard to implement reforms that empower members of society and open up opportunities to engage in the state-building process. The post-2015 development agenda must provide instruments that empower States to seek development, based on free will and their individual needs.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  3. “They learned from their mistakes and mobilized resources to build their own futures. They chose to build modern States of the twenty-first century — open, transparent and collaborative, not dominating. It was not easy for those countries to decide which course to take. Their choice would have been made easier if their free will had been respected and their decision supported in good faith, and with encouragement by those who could provide such support. Instead, they are now facing trade restrictions, bans on goods, the manipulation of energy prices, the use of pressure and open disrespect displayed in information forums. The countries of the European Union Eastern Partnership are not the only ones experiencing such problems.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  4. “After rebuilding our statehood two decades ago and with the help, advice and experience of the international community, our nations have today become donors and have a lot of experience to share with those who are going through transformations similar to the ones we have experienced. Inner resolve and consensus are very important. However, a favourable external climate and international support are also needed, especially for small countries that depend on larger players for their trade, transportation or energy links. In two months’ time, in Vilnius, several Eastern European countries intend to confirm their commitment to completing the painful but much-needed reforms for economic growth, political stability and social harmony. For many years, those countries worked hard to reach national agreement on reforms, their scope and direction.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  5. “But the use of economic, energy or information tools to show power or set up zones of influence is unjustifiable, especially for the future. The twenty-first century should be the age of solidarity, equality and sustainable development. It cannot be an age of the flaunting of power, zero-sum games or buffer zones. Those times are over. Any attempt to return to those times impedes the development of the modern world. But, regrettably, power games still exist. I would like to share my country’s and region’s experience with the Assembly. In the past two decades, the Baltic States have been rapidly transformed. Complex and painful economic, political and social reforms have boosted economic growth, social well-being and political stability.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  6. “Development cannot be imposed; it must be promoted. But it is not only about development. It is about free choice, democracy and fundamental rights, each of which is key to the success of the Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 development agenda. Today we live in the twenty-first century, but there are still those who want to enforce a specific course of development on others, using economic pressure, energy levers or cybertools, by distorted information or threats. It is true that internationally approved sanctions send a message to those who are producing weapons and not jobs, who violate human rights and use national resources to satisfy individual interests and not those of their society as a whole.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  7. “There are two years left until the deadline for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is therefore time to review what we have succeeded in achieving and set the guidelines for the work that remains. Development is a global challenge. Every contribution that is made, every experience that we share and every lesson that we have learned is very important for all of us. By sharing we set the stage for learning from each other — and not only from our own mistakes. In today’s world, every country has the right to choose a path that best suits its experience, culture and needs, as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others and guarantees human rights and freedoms. The international community has an obligation to offer support based on the principles of ownership and empowerment so that those choices may be realized.”

    2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)

  8. “With a view to that forthcoming summit, Lithuania is ready to contribute to the practical measures set forth in the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit Work Plan. The prevention of any type of crisis — be it a military conflict, a nuclear accident or a terrorist attack — is a challenge for all of us. But it is also an 17 11-50871 opportunity: an opportunity to strengthen the United Nations leadership, an opportunity to intensify our joint work, an opportunity to promote dialogue and mediation, and even an opportunity to save resources that can then be devoted to research and development, protection of the environment and support for the most vulnerable. I invite us all to seize that opportunity for the sake of our common safety, security and prosperity, which is what we all wish for.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  9. “Lithuania believes that strict adherence to uniform nuclear safety standards must be obligatory. Specialized Agency missions for the entire nuclear cycle, including site evaluation and follow-up missions, should also become an inseparable part of any nuclear power plant development. Each and every nuclear power plant, its site, nuclear technology and even the ability of the personnel to ensure safety maintenance should be subject to stress tests. Last but not least, information about all existing and planned nuclear projects must be absolutely transparent and open to public access. We believe that the nuclear security summit in the Republic of Korea next year will provide an excellent platform for discussing nuclear safety and security issues for the whole world.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  10. “I would like to draw the Assembly’s special attention to the word “responsibility”. Chernobyl and Fukushima are tragic examples, but they teach us very important lessons. It is not enough to rely only on recommendations, proposals and encouragement for cooperation when we deal with nuclear safety issues. I believe that our responsibility is to create strict legal international imperatives. We cannot allow any compromises on safety and security. In this respect, the efforts of the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Union and other organizations to ensure nuclear safety throughout the world are critically needed today. Lithuania emphasizes the key role of the IAEA in this area. We welcome the ambitious nuclear safety action plan that was adopted by the IAEA General Conference in Vienna today.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  11. “I would like to announce that Lithuania has drawn up its first national action plan for implementing resolution 1325 (2000). We live in an era of constant change. The maintenance and improvement of our ability to tackle traditional crises must be supplemented with an increased capacity of the United Nation to address such new threats and challenges as energy security, cybercrime, food safety and climate change, to mention only a few. I especially appreciate and would like to stress the importance of the Secretary-General’s strong engagement in nuclear safety and his call to build a stronger connection between nuclear safety and nuclear security. In the light of the world’s energy needs today, nuclear energy can be an essential element of sustainable global development, provided it is used with necessary responsibility.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  12. “This event, organized by Lithuania as Chair of the Community of Democracies, confirmed my belief that the involvement of women in addressing common problems and concerns is still very low. Therefore, Lithuania strongly welcomed resolution 65/283 on strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, proposed by Finland and Turkey and adopted by the General Assembly. I am very pleased that that resolution advocates the enhanced role of women in peace mediation. The full involvement of women in conflict resolution, peace talks and decisions on post-conflict reconstruction is essential. The same applies to the protection of women in conflict situations as defined in the historic Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) and related resolutions.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  13. “I am also confident that Lithuania’s commitment to effective multilateralism and the fostering of dialogue and cooperation internationally makes it a deserving candidate for non-permanent membership of the Security Council. We are ready and determined to run for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the 2014-15 term. Meanwhile, looking forward to Lithuania’s presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-seventh session next year, I would like to assure members that we will do our utmost to contribute effectively and wisely to the work and principles of the United Nations in all of its bodies. Just a few months ago, women leaders from all parts of the world met in Vilnius to share their experiences in enhancing democracy worldwide.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)

  14. “Twenty years ago, Lithuania rejoined the international community of sovereign States and became a Member of the United Nations. The unique experience of peaceful transition, State-building and reforms during the past 20 years has made Lithuania stronger and more determined. History has taught us that an honest broker at the national, 11-50871 16 bilateral or multilateral level is the key to solving almost any problem. In recent years, we have invested in building our capacity to become such a broker. Lithuania has just concluded its chairmanship of the Community of Democracies. Today, we are proud to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.”

    2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)