YouSaid · the spoken record

Gitanas Nausėda

lines on the record: 67
first: 2019-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“That is our responsibility to future generations. Today I expect the Assembly to remain steadfast in its condemnation of all kinds of aggression that clearly violate the Charter of the United Nations. However, condemning them is not enough. Decisive action must be taken. The politics of fear and coercion on a global scale must be stopped once and for all. We must resolutely defend the equality of sovereign nations, both large and small. We must remain true to the Charter’s fundamental principles, including respect for international law and arms control. Those principles must guide our path forward. Each and every nation is important. We must stand together against the power of fear. Together we can change the world.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Later. Belarus announced an agreement to deploy Russia’s nuclear weapons on its territory, which goes against the international commitments under the Treaty. Finally. Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. That means it is preparing for more war — not to settle for peace. The only way for us to turn back the tide of destabilization that threatens us all is to join forces in building a better world. We need a collective effort to rebuild trust among nations. Violations of international law and universal human rights cannot be normalized. Neither justice nor peace is free. We must stand for peace. We must stand for justice. Accountability and the rules-based international order will be vital to forging a world that is fair and secure.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“To reinforce vulnerable economies, we must search for geopolitical solutions. One possibility could be the opening of more solidarity lanes by offering alternative transportation for Ukrainian food products, for example, through trusted Baltic Sea ports. The availability of local food production and fertilizer in vulnerable regions could also be boosted by international support. Looking into the issue of nuclear safety. Lithuania expects more active cooperation from Russia in protecting the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We are also following Russia’s recent decisions on arms control with the greatest concern. Last year Russia broke the emerging consensus at the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Lithuania calls for the establishment of such an international tribunal, supported by a General Assembly resolution. Failure to do so will mean further damage to the credibility of the entire global justice system. From the very beginning. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been a truly global issue. It affects global food security as well as nuclear safety. Russia is currently holding the world hostage by blocking Ukrainian grain exports, looting the occupied Ukrainian territories and devastating local agricultural infrastructure. Unilateral actions such as Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, endangering at least 82 countries, with 350 million people currently on the food-insecurity front lines, should be universally condemned. But the solution is not lifting the sanctions on Russia.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Lithuania supports the arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Russia’s President and Children’s Rights Commissioner, which represent a promising step towards accountability for targeting children in military conflict. Bringing back the Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia and Belarus is a necessary next step. The initiative to persecute sexual crimes perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine also deserves our united support. Lithuania commends the unwavering dedication of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict in addressing that critical issue. What is still lacking is a tribunal specifically designed to prosecute the very crime of aggression committed by Russia’s top political and military leadership.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“As we work for sustainable peace, we should ensure the accountability of those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. While contemplating the issue of justice, we should also address the actions of the regime in Belarus, which is participating in this war of aggression by providing military assistance and facilitating the offensive from its territory. Specifically, we should all support Ukraine’s efforts in the International Court of Justice and endorse the Court’s provisional measures ordering Russia to immediately cease its military action in the territory of Ukraine. Another institution, the International Criminal Court (ICC), is playing a crucial role in prosecuting war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The unprecedented ecological catastrophe caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam should not be replicated in new and even more dangerous forms. That war of aggression must stop, with an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of troops and military equipment from Ukrainian territory. And what I mean by that is Ukraine’s entire territory, within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters as of 1991. Lithuania strongly endorses President Zelenskyy’s peace formula. It is a robust foundation for achieving peace, aligned with the universal principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Meanwhile. Lithuania calls on all the States Members of the United Nations to provide substantial humanitarian, military, economic and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The very framework of the multilateral cooperation that sustained peace, stability and prosperity in the post-Cold War era is being threatened. The integrity of the Charter of the United Nations and the rules-based international system is being put at serious risk. The international community can no longer allow Russia to manipulate and abuse global rules. Its numerous crimes, such as the wholesale destruction of Ukrainian cities and towns, the murder of thousands of innocent civilians and the displacement of millions more, have brought disgrace on the Security Council, where Russia still sits as a permanent member with the power of the veto. The international community should put more pressure on Russia to stop its deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The development of solar energy, as well as onshore and offshore wind parks, should substantially increase our installed capacity for renewable electricity generation. There can be no sustainable development in the midst of a war. Wherever we look — Europe. Asia. Africa or the Americas — peace is an all-important condition for humankind to thrive and to create. An old-style colonial war is back in Europe. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is aggravating the global situation across many areas, such as food and energy security, climate, finance, global health and migration. Established international norms and the entire vision of an open and cooperative world order are currently being held hostage to Russia’s imperialist ambitions.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I am standing here to express my great concern about the devastating impact of climate change and to share the Lithuanian experience. Today green transformation is no longer a matter of choice. We need decisive action to keep the goals and spirit of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change alive. Lithuania is resolutely committed to preventing, minimizing and addressing climate change. We aim to achieve a 70 per cent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030 and become climate-neutral in 2050. Renewable energy will play the central role in our strategy. Our ambition is to turn Lithuania from a net importer of electricity into a self-sufficient green-energy producer by 2030.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We are meeting at a critical moment. Political, economic and cultural divisions are deepening before our eyes. Conflicts, instability and civil unrest are erupting around the globe. Disruption of the rules-based international order threatens the world we all know and cherish. The time for decisive action is now. We must rise to the challenges and work together to preserve peace, prosperity and stability, to safeguard the rules-based order, democracy and the universality of human rights, to save our home, planet Earth, from the effects of disastrous climate change and to fight hard against global poverty and inequality. That will certainly not be easy. Global trust will have to be restored, the Sustainable Development Goals implemented, and a meaningful Pact for the Future negotiated and signed.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Ukrainian territorial integrity must be fully restored. Any other outcome would mean further atrocities and long-standing insecurity. While the aggressor has already demonstrated its eagerness to endanger the global population, we should not allow ourselves to be frightened. The danger is real. As history shows, pushing back against the aggressor is the only viable option. Today I remain a strong believer in the transformative power of collective action, based on the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Together we can ensure global peace and security. Together we will make a difference. Let me assure the Assembly that Lithuania is and will always be a valuable partner in fighting for the right cause — in fighting for long-lasting peace.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We have demonstrated that by building energy independence and accelerating our green transition. I invite all countries to stop financing this bloody war by refusing to buy the aggressor’s energy resources, which would significantly affect its ability to continue this brutal war. Lithuania has supported Ukraine since the first days of this terrible war. We have not been silent. We have stepped up to help Ukraine in every way we can. Our Government, as well as civil society, has been active in providing both military and humanitarian aid. We have taken in more than 60,000 refugees, mostly women and children. To help them maintain a sense of belonging, we have established a Ukrainian centre in Vilnius, the first centre of its kind outside Ukraine. The war must end, but not with peace at any cost.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Finally, we must consider the fact that Russia’s war in Ukraine is an extension of the wider context. What do we see in Russia? The human rights situation there is deteriorating. Independent media and non-governmental organizations are being simply banished. Similar developments are taking place in Belarus. Systematic and widespread attacks target civil society, human rights defenders and independent media. The number of political prisoners in Belarus now exceeds 1,200, and it continues to grow. That is truly alarming and requires more attention from the international community. Lithuania has provided asylum to Russians and Belarusians — representatives of non-governmental organizations and independent media — who were persecuted in their home countries. For Lithuania, the time for a business-as-usual approach is over.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“There must be no impunity for the brutal crimes and atrocities committed during the war. Guaranteeing justice and accountability is of vital importance from the standpoint of the credibility of the United Nations and the international community. We should consolidate and advance our legal efforts. We must ensure that all those responsible for this unprecedented assault on Ukrainian and European peace and security are held accountable. Lithuania will continue to engage in accountability mechanisms to address the mass atrocities being committed in Ukraine. I call on the global community to establish a special tribunal to address war crimes in Ukraine. It is also crucially important to ensure effective forms of reparations for the victims of those crimes.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“His visits to Ukraine demonstrate supreme dedication to the ideals of the United Nations. We note that the efforts of the Secretary-General and Tiirkiye were instrumental in reaching the deal on resuming Ukrainian grain exports. We also acknowledge the positive role played by other actors, such as the African Union leadership, in coming to that arrangement. It is an achievement shared by the whole community of nations. Once again, international efforts have helped us to avert a global catastrophe. The grain exports via Ukrainian ports will sustain and feed millions of people. We should be in no doubt that it was the war in Ukraine that threatened to trigger global hunger, and we cannot be sure that this danger will not return until the Russian armed forces are withdrawn from the whole territory of Ukraine.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Moreover, Russia’s irresponsible rhetoric on the possible use of nuclear weapons directly contradicts its role as a permanent five (P5) State and the commitment it made in the January P5 leaders’ statement on preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races. We see a huge gap between declarations and real actions that is undermining trust in a permanent member of the Security Council. We must collectively condemn such actions and require Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. It must also stop its irresponsible and dangerous nuclear rhetoric and behaviour. That should include withdrawing military and other personnel from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Lithuania therefore welcomes the active personal involvement of the Secretary-General.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people has been further amplified by Russia’s proxy, the Belarusian regime. It has enabled military attacks by another country from its territory. It continues to provide support for offensive operations against Ukraine. Unfortunately, it has surrendered Belarus’s national sovereignty to its big neighbour. The past few months have also revealed the danger of a looming nuclear disaster in Europe. The deployment of Russian military personnel and weaponry at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant is alarming and totally unacceptable. It disregards the safety and security principles that all members of the International Atomic Energy Agency are committed to respecting. A nuclear power plant should never be used as a military base.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Behind the mask of an energy superpower there is a dangerous colonial Power seeking to occupy and annex its neighbours, searching for reasons to justify the annexation, rewriting history, using economic and energy blackmail and spreading disinformation and propaganda. We all know that Russia’s violations of the founding principles of the United Nations did not start seven months ago. Its destructive actions have undermined international security for many years, breaching arms- control treaties, using prohibited chemical weapons both at home and abroad, continually violating the territorial integrity not only of Ukraine, but of Georgia and Moldova as well, and interfering in the elections of other countries. Those are just a few examples.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Every State Member of the United Nations is expected to respect the rules of international order that we have created over the course of decades, and it is up to us to decide what can be tolerated and what cannot, where the red lines are and when they are crossed. How can we tolerate a member of the international community in a war of conquest and annihilation, a country that is deliberately attacking the rules-based world order, a country whose actions make it more difficult for all of us to maintain peace and security across the globe? Today I call on everyone here to look closely at what is happening in Ukraine. Who is the aggressor and who is the victim?”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“However, the war has not broken the will of the brave Ukrainian people to defend their country. It has not diminished their fighting spirit. The massacres at Bucha and Izyum have not brought them to their knees. Their inherent love of freedom, passed from one generation to another, is still there, undefeated, unspoiled. Despite all the challenges, Ukrainians have proved to be remarkably strong defenders of liberty and democratic values. Inspired by their heroic struggle, the international community should take an even more active role in boosting Ukrainian resilience to withstand their hardships.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“For the first time in our history, peace finally became a global value to be protected. Against all odds, the language of military aggression and conquest was condemned. In the context of global challenges, we often talk about human rights, but what about countries’ right to be sovereign and defend their territorial integrity? On 24 February, a permanent member of the Security Council started an unjustified, unprovoked and illegal war against a neighbouring country. That gross violation of international law undermined the very essence of the United Nations. For the past seven months, Russia’s war on Ukraine has taken a terrible toll on the Ukrainian people. Many thousands have been tortured and killed. Millions have been displaced or forced to flee their homeland.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Standing before this Assembly of world nations, I wanted to speak about peace and about challenges that the world is facing today — income inequality, pandemics and climate change. Unfortunately, today I have to speak about war — the war in Europe, a war that only deepens and does not resolve other issues. Ever since the founding of the United Nations, the Organization’s central idea has been that of bringing countries together and ensuring peaceful coexistence. After the terrible suffering of the Second World War, addressing global threats to international peace and security was the overriding concern. We owe a great deal to those past leaders who struggled to recreate global order out of profound disorder. The darkest hour in human history inspired the creation of the rules that remain essential to the global coexistence of nations.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Our hopes, brave ideas and individual strengths should all be channelled into global efforts. Let us build our future together.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“From an early date, Lithuania has bet on digital transformation, with advances in modern information and communication infrastructure, jump-starting the rapid growth of its digital economy. We intend to do the same with our green transformation. We have always shared one world, but we have only recently been awakened to the fact of our shared responsibility. We now know that we have to make an effort. We must actively build our common future. The time for passive observation is over. We clearly need a new social contract anchored in human rights, as well as the better management of our global commons. How can all of that be achieved? I believe that the way forward is through an honest and open discussion. Our success depends on our ability to build bridges of trust among peoples and make them work for the whole of humankind.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Lithuania seeks a timely transition towards a resilient and climate-neutral economy and is committed to reaching the related European Union targets. The recently adopted national climate change management agenda sets goals for Lithuania to reduce emissions by 70 per cent as compared to 1990 and to become climate neutral by 2050. The broad support of society is needed for decarbonization efforts to be effective. They must bring about new major opportunities for and benefits from innovative green growth, employment, a higher quality of life, public health and biodiversity. The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is inevitable. The real question now is, who will be the first to reap the benefits?”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We are ready to promote UNESCO’s mission and mandate and to contribute to making the organization more efficient, responsive and keen to find sustainable solutions. I would now like to turn to the challenge of our time — climate change. The recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change clearly states that we have little time left for necessary decisions and real actions. Lithuania fully supports Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his call for urgent and bold steps to address the triple crisis of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution destroying our planet. It is crucially important for every country to participate at the upcoming twenty- sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Glasgow, with the most ambitious proposals.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We will continue defending the rights of women and girls, freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of religion and belief and will stand up for ensuring access to information and the safety of journalists. In order to fulfil those promises, Lithuania will make use of the experience gained by its membership within various United Nations bodies. As the current President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Lithuania is engaged in international efforts to save children’s lives and defend their rights. In seeking to make a change, Lithuania has also presented its candidacy for election to the UNESCO Executive Board for the term from 2021 to 2025.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“For the United Nations to remain relevant and strong, an efficient Security Council is required. Every instance of inaction by the Security Council encourages aggression and threatens the multilateral system. Lithuania therefore strongly supports the initiative on limiting the use of the veto in the Security Council in cases of mass atrocities, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. As an expression of Lithuania’s strong commitment to the international human rights agenda, we are also running for a seat on the Human Rights Council for the term from 2022 to 2024. If elected, Lithuania will pay special attention to the protection of human rights defenders, the rights of the child, the rights of persons with disabilities and human rights in conflict areas.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The international community could also pay special attention to a comprehensive settlement of the Transnistria conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders. We are constantly being reminded about the need to preserve the international rules-based order. As we have inherited it, our duty is to pass it onto the next generations. We must show restraint when it comes to international matters and implement our commitments and obligations. The Treaty on Open Skies, the Vienna Document, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and many other agreements are crucial for building confidence in international security. The principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should prevail in the face of new challenges.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I commend Ukraine’s efforts to keep the issue on the agenda by creating the International Crimean Platform. Lithuania respects Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic choice and continues to support its reforms in this troubled period. Seeking to consolidate international efforts, we co-hosted the Ukraine Reform Conference in Vilnius in July. We are also currently witnessing a worsening human rights and security situation in the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia. Aggressive actions by the occupying forces, such as borderization, movement restrictions and illegal detentions, are hindering the lives of the local people. Our duty is to hold the aggressor accountable.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I believe that it would be a colossal mistake to treat such violators on the same footing as climate-friendly producers that respect environmental and nuclear safety rules. Resolving the issue of the Belarussian nuclear power plant is of crucial importance for our environment and a matter of safety for all people of Europe. For the seventh year, we are witnessing the continued military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea. Those actions violate international law and the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, and should be universally condemned. We must reinforce the policy of non-recognition of the occupation and annexation of Crimea. It is also extremely important to protect the rights and freedoms of the local civilian population.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We all need to actively fight human trafficking, break the business models of smugglers and discourage migrants from endangering their lives. There must be serious discussions on how to prevent one country from using irregular migration to put pressure on another. We must make it clear that people should not be used as tools. Furthermore, Belarus recently generated yet another outrage by starting the commercial exploitation of an unsafe nuclear power plant close to the Lithuanian border. By ignoring numerous warning incidents and failing to comply with basic international safety standards, the Belarussian regime has once again shown a complete lack of a sense of responsibility.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Independent civil society and media organizations are being silenced, with hundreds of people detained, severely beaten and tortured. The irresponsible actions of the Belarussian authorities might also have a bigger impact on international security. We saw it in the hijacking and forced landing of a Ryanair flight on 23 May, which was done in clear violation of international law. Such actions should be treated as a State-sponsored act of terrorism. The Belarussian regime is also testing new methods of hybrid actions. For several months now, Lithuania has been dealing with unprecedented hybrid attacks. By artificially creating and directing irregular migration flows, Belarus is aiming to put political pressure on the European Union. Lithuania firmly rejects that attempt to sow discord and calls on the United Nations to address it.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We refuse to accept such behaviour as a new normal. Therefore, Lithuania fully supports the cause to uphold human rights in all countries. Cases in which political activists and human rights defenders are tortured and killed must be carefully investigated. We also deplore efforts by Russia to exert pressure on the Lithuanian judges and prosecutors investigating the case of atrocities committed by the occupying Soviet Army in Lithuania in 1991. Lithuania calls on all States not to execute related international arrest warrants. It is also with deep sadness that I recall last year’s developments in Belarus. A genuine protest movement that sprang up after a rigged presidential election has been brutally suppressed.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I would therefore like to congratulate the United Nations on its efforts in that regard, especially its “Verified” campaign to fight misinformation and disinformation, which pose an ever-greater threat to our societies. In order to counter the various kinds of manipulation, we need a holistic approach and new, concrete ways to get better at detecting, analysing and exposing disinformation. Various forms of pressure and hybrid attacks are closely related to the deteriorating security situation in many parts of the world. We have seen authoritarian regimes and States continuing their military buildups and intensifying violent crackdowns on political opposition, free media and civil society. Those regimes have demonstrated many times their willingness to endanger our peace and security and prosperity.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Recent years have shown us that no country is able to deal with global challenges alone. It is a global effort that helps us to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus disease pandemic. That fight is not over, but I believe that we are on the right path. The way forward is through the widespread use of safe and effective vaccines. We need an active global vaccine-sharing mechanism that will help to protect everyone, including those who are most vulnerable. Alarmingly, the pandemic is deepening global poverty and inequality. The widening gaps in education, social security and digital connectivity divide the global population. Right now, millions of people are also being overwhelmed by a dangerous infodemic. That, too, is causing much suffering and contributes to many untimely deaths.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“This year marks a special anniversary for the independent Lithuanian State. Thirty years ago, the Republic of Lithuania became a State Member of the United Nations. Ever since the restoration of independence, in March 1990, we had been striving for international recognition. Membership in the United Nations made Lithuania a full-fledged member of the international community. It empowered us to seek peace, defend human rights and contribute to effective multilateralism. A significant decision of the United Nations General Assembly was made in 1992: to call for a complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of the Baltic States (resolution 47/21). It was a powerful manifestation of global solidarity — the kind of solidarity we still often need today.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“President, Let me stress that nothing in the global world comes without effort and difficulty. Be it a resolution of conflicts, ensuring peace and security, fight against poverty or climate change, securing education, social inclusion for all, or fighting global pandemics — in all cases we need reliable tools. We need the eyes that see and the hearts that dare. We need to defend the powerless and to fight the impunity of the powerful. We need to uphold multilateralism and the rules-based international order at any cost. There are no alternatives. There is no other way but to work together with ever stronger resolve. Let the renewed sense of international community guide us! Thank you.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Built without proper risk assessment and necessary consultations just 40 kilometers from our capital city, it challenges regional nuclear and environmental safety, as well as the functioning of the Baltic States electricity systems and the overall security of whole Europe. Nuclear accidents respect no borders. Even the best technology can fail, if an unsuitable location is chosen or the basic construction and operational requirements are not followed. Any irresponsible cost cutting might have disastrous effects. Therefore, Lithuania urges the international community to seek the implementation of the highest nuclear and environmental standards for all nuclear objects around the world. The global security depends on our efforts to ensure nuclear safety. Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Those will be achieved by building interconnections with the Western European electricity system, converting district heating systems to use biomass, approving additional auctions for solar and wind generated electricity, and promoting prosumer policy. Unfortunately, safe and secure energy is not everyone’s goal. In Lithuania’s immediate neighborhood, unsafe nuclear energy has been chosen as a way forward without much thought about a clean and sustainable future. We see the new nuclear power plant in Belarus as a geopolitical project aimed at maintaining Russian sphere of influence.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“President, As a responsible member of the international community, Lithuania remains loyal to the commitments of the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In the face of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, driven in large part by unsustainable production and consumption, urgent action is needed. We need to preserve the Planet Earth for our children and grandchildren. Green energy is one of the measures that need to be developed globally. I am proud to say that Lithuania is firmly on the green course since 2010. My country is among the leaders in the development of renewable energy and is among five most ambitious countries in the European Union in terms of renewable energy targets for 2030.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Restoring justice is the only way forward. At the same time, we are witnessing a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and Africa. It comes with lower respect for human rights and democratic standards, loss of life, social unrest and largescale migration flows. Despite all the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General, including his global ceasefire call, no major war or conflict has seen a credible halt in fighting. Libya suffers upticks in violence; Yemen, as well as parts of Syria, rebel-held areas and camps for the displaced, face the worst humanitarian disaster; in Sahel, people encounter the many dangers of terrorism. It is our common responsibility to stop this worrying trend! Mr.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The situation in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is worsening due to renewed ‘borderization’ activities, restricted movement and illegal detentions of local people. Furthermore, for the sixth-year Russian forces are occupying Ukrainian Crimea and continuing military actions in Eastern Ukraine. Lithuania welcomes Ukraine’s efforts to negotiate an end to the war and calls on Russia to move closer to a sustainable political resolution. Any future agreement should fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — no other solution is possible. My country continues to support Georgian and Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders. No occupation, be it Crimea and Sevastopol, or Abkhazia and South Ossetia, will be forgotten or forgiven!”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Millions of people are still suffering, some of them — in Lithuania’s immediate neighborhood. As the recent case of Alexey Navalny’s poisoning shows, in some countries the pressure directed against opposition voices quickly turns into a deadly physical action. If we honestly seek to maintain international order, we must be prepared to investigate the crimes against humanity and punish the perpetrators by all the available means. This principle should also apply to those who intentionally break the international norms. More than a decade has passed since Russia invaded Georgia. One fifth of Georgian territory remains occupied by Russian forces in an evident violation of the international law.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We are deeply worried that the deteriorating security situation, worsening media climate and the shrinking space for civil society and human rights defenders might slowly become a new norm. Seeking to make a lasting contribution and support human rights, Lithuania for the first time presented its candidacy for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council. If elected for the term starting in 2022, Lithuania would pay close attention to the safety of journalists and the protection of human rights defenders, as well as the rights of women and girls, the rights of the child, the rights of persons with disabilities, freedoms of expression, assembly and association. Mr. President, These are the troubled times. The ongoing conflicts continue to devastate many regions around the world.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“I believe the international community must send a strong message to the current authorities of Belarus. All unlawfully detained people and political prisoners must be released, and those responsible for the use of force and tortures must be held accountable. It is imperative that the Human Rights Council monitors and evaluates the human rights situation in Belarus on a permanent basis. All crimes against humanity and massive violations of human rights must be investigated without delay! Mr. President, the true power of the United Nations Charter relies on our readiness to defend its core principles, including the firm faith in fundamental human rights. My country remains committed to upholding human rights at home and abroad. We will not stand aside while witnessing rising global challenges to fundamental freedoms.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We should treat this offense against justice and the rule of law with aversion and contempt. Allowing it to go unnoticed and without response would only foster a climate of impunity and undermine the rule of law on a global scale. The very fundamentals of democratic societies — the basic freedoms of speech and expression, as well as the right for self-determination — are under attack in Belarus. The time has clearly come to defend the values of the international community. The United Nations and its institutions should closely monitor the situation in Belarus and insistently call on its authorities to refrain from the use of force, to ensure adherence to the principles of international law and human rights and to finally start a peaceful transition of power.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The ongoing violations of the international law and human rights, as well as the abuse of power against own citizens, sadly, remain part of our collective reality. The ongoing crisis in Belarus is a prime example of this worrying trend. The fraudulent presidential elections on 9 August led to massive unprecedented protests of the peaceful and brave Belarusian people who flooded the country’s streets. The illegitimate regime willfully uses brutal force against the participants of peaceful protests. The released detainees report inhumane conditions in the detention facilities. There are clear indications that individuals are beaten and tortured in cold blood by special police teams. All this is happening in Europe at the time when we all mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations and its founding document.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Our security and stability depend on a proper assessment of the troublesome past. We must defend objective historical narratives that are increasingly under attack by the revisionist forces. History should not be a tool for manipulation, disinformation and propaganda. It shall not be used to whitewash the past crimes or to serve the current political agenda. Therefore, we reject the outdated worldview that the powerful can divide the world into spheres of interests. Secret agreements like those in Moscow in 1939 or in Yalta in 1945 must never be signed again. It should be clear to everyone that all countries are full members of the international community — with equal rights and obligations! Mr. President, It is highly unfortunate that today we witness attempts to undermine the values of the United Nations.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)