YouSaid · the spoken record

Edgars Rinkēvičs

lines on the record: 30
first: 2018-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
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

“Latvia will continue to be a responsible and reliable partner involved in peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. Our determination to protect the fundamental values of the Charter of the United Nations is guiding our candidacy for the Security Council elections in 2025. This Organization is as effective as the collective will of its Member States, and it is in our hands to safeguard and improve it.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Still, as our only truly global organization, it is at the core of the multilateral system uniting all sovereign States, and it is especially important for smaller countries such as my own. The revitalization of the United Nations system and meaningful reforms of the Security Council are essential. The paralysis of the Security Council resulting from abuse of the veto is a serious concern, which is why Latvia supports efforts to make the Security Council more transparent and accountable for its lack of action. The power of the veto was created not as a privilege but as a responsibility. Latvia supports a more just, equitable representation of the world’s regions on the Security Council, including for African countries and SIDS.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Strengthening resilience remains at the core of SIDS sustainability, and Latvia is committed to contributing to the successful preparation of the United Nations SIDS conference next year, including financially. We will continue to follow the evolving work of the International Law Commission on the legal aspects of sea level rise, and we are already engaged in international legal proceedings addressing the obligations of States regarding climate change. Resilience to disinformation is another area where Latvia has meaningful experience. We must address the issue of the accountability of actors in the information environment, including at the global level. The United Nations is not a perfect institution. Its inability to stop aggression or conflicts has often called its effectiveness into question.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Latvia firmly believes that strengthening an innovative and eco-efficient economy, quality education and good governance will contribute to our development. The participation of the non-governmental sector and of young people has become an integral part of our national decision-making processes. In a spirit of solidarity. Latvia’s development cooperation policy is becoming more global. A notable part of our development support has been provided to Ukraine and countries of the European Eastern Partnership and Central Asia. Latvia has now expanded its cooperation projects to countries in Africa, and we are ready to contribute to the promotion of peace, good governance, economic growth, digitalization and gender equality. Latvia also recognizes the climate-induced challenges that small island developing States (SIDS) face.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“I urge the United Nations to resolve the issue of the removal of the remaining Russian-owned fertilizer from Latvia’s territory so it can be delivered to countries in need as soon as possible. The United Nations system must respond more effectively to humanitarian needs. The concept of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations since the birth of the Organization. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit, held two days ago. reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, cooperation and solidarity. At the same time, the Summit acknowledged the stark reality of the fact that achieving the global Goals by 2030 will be very challenging for many countries. International cooperation will be key. The global SDG Index ranks Latvia fourteenth among Member States for overall achievement of the global Goals.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We condemn Russia’s unilateral termination of the Initiative. Food and energy are instruments of Russia’s warfare, fuelled by disinformation. Lies must be countered with truth and facts. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused shortages of food and fertilizer supplies; it was not the sanctions. Sanctions do not block the export of mineral fertilizers or grain from Russia. The truth is that Russia is benefiting from higher prices. Access to food is a human right, and hunger must never be used as a political tool. International efforts to facilitate Ukrainian exports for global food security must continue. Latvia cooperates with the World Food Programme to improve food security worldwide.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which was created by the Council of Europe, is an important step towards establishing a future international compensation mechanism. As the current holder of the presidency of the Council of Europe. Latvia launched the Register. We hope that more countries beyond the members of the Council of Europe will join that important initiative. By blocking Ukraine’s exports and destroying its agricultural sector. Russia has disrupted grain deliveries worldwide; yet it claims to care about global food security. There is no doubt that Russia is directly responsible for the suffering of people worldwide. Increases in costs and food insecurity affect all regions. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was paramount for global food security.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Latvia has provided financial contributions to the Court, including to the Trust Fund for Victims. We support other international mechanisms documenting and investigating Russia’s violations. However, neither the International Criminal Court nor any other existing mechanism is able to exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Every effort should be made to hold Russia’s leadership and military personnel accountable. At stake is whether impunity or abiding by the international rule of law will prevail. Latvia reiterates the need to establish a special international tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The creation of a tribunal under the auspices of the United Nations would provide the strongest international legitimacy. I encourage other countries to support the proposal.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“More than 11 million people have been forced to leave their homes. The illegal adoption and forcible deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia is of serious concern. We call on the United Nations to take a more active stance on the issue. Latvia knows all too well the heavy toll that the deportations and acts of repression by the occupying regime have cost generations. Russia must bear the full legal and financial responsibility for its aggression. We must ensure full accountability for all crimes committed in Ukraine. That means the responsibility of Russia as a State for violations of international law. as well as individual liability for the most serious international crimes. I commend the steps taken by the International Criminal Court to investigate atrocity crimes in Ukraine.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“Latvia will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. Our assistance to Ukraine has already exceeded 1.3 per cent of Latvia’s gross domestic product. Together with the private sector and civil society, we have sent humanitarian aid to Ukrainian regions. Latvia continues to give safe refuge to the Ukrainian people. We provide rehabilitation to wounded Ukrainian soldiers and victims of sexual violence. Comprehensive support for the Ukrainian people to rebuild their country will be required. It is important to already start laying the ground for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Even in times of war. the rules of international humanitarian law apply. The evidence of Russia’s deliberate attacks on the civilian population and infrastructure in Ukraine is mounting. Innocent civilians, including children, are being killed.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We cannot talk about restoring international trust until Russia ends the war and withdraws from Ukraine. Russia must withdraw all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Russia must stop its terror and atrocity crimes. In response to those who call for a ceasefire and peaceful dialogue. I would like to recall that only Ukraine can decide when to start peace negotiations. Latvia supports Ukraine’s peace formula. Sustainable peace must be based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. I call on all Members of the United Nations to support those principles. Ukraine has shown remarkable determination in exercising its right to self-defence against Russia’s aggression. I urge the international community to continue providing all needed support to Ukraine and its people.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“We are now seeing the consequences. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a reminder of the struggle of a colonial empire to keep its territories. Ukraine is not Russia. It never was and never will be. Having experienced 50 years of Soviet occupation. Latvia knows the value of freedom and independence, like so many countries in other regions. The international community must stand together firmly against Russia’s attack, based on the principles and norms of international law. Respect for the United Nations Charter is in the vital interest of all States. The outcome of the war will determine global security for years to come. Latvia condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which has been enabled by Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“The Russian Federation’s brutal invasion of its neighbour runs counter to the fundamental United Nations principles of refraining from the use of force against the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of States. The blatant breach of those principles undermines the entire international system, especially if the aggressor is a nuclear-weapon State and a permanent member of the Security Council. It is not a dispute between two neighbouring countries; Russia’s attack was unprovoked. Russia is trying to redraw international borders by force to restore its former sphere of influence. In 2008 and 2014. the international community made a grave mistake by not responding to Russia’s aggression against Georgia and the illegal annexation of Crimea. It sent the wrong message to Russia, allowing its aggressive imperial ambitions to advance.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“First of all. I would like to congratulate Mr. Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago on assuming the post of President of the General Assembly. I assure him of Latvia’s full cooperation along the way. The topic of this year’s general debate invites us to focus on rebuilding trust and global solidarity. Rooted in the Charter of the United Nations, both concepts are crucial for effective multilateralism. Today I would like to highlight the following points. We are at a transformative moment for the global order. Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to challenge the world in many ways. It is a test for the rules-based multilateral system.”
2023-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 78 (2023)
“It is not perfect, yet it is a very necessary instrument for the maintenance of peace, economic development and the codification of international law for a more secure world. The United Nations can and must be a significant global player, a community of nations that is proud of its values and committed to multilateralism and the principles of international law. Member States must support our Organization in order to project those values worldwide, thereby affirming its unique role on the global stage. To achieve that purpose, the United Nations needs well-functioning norms, efficient institutions and a clear vision of its policies.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In that regard, the United Nations stands out as a good global governance instrument, but it is not a global Government. The ability of the United Nations to meet the challenges of the world today depends heavily on the decisions of Governments and on the support of populations for those decisions. With that in mind, I wish to emphasize that the future of multilateralism will depend more on changes in the attitudes of Member States than on reforms of the United Nations system. However, as long as the fundamental characteristics of the international system are not changed, the United Nations can only strive for higher effectiveness and efficiency. We should accept the United Nations for what it is.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Today, 90 per cent of casualties in armed conflicts are civilians. Conventional arms kill approximately 500,000 people a year, of whom 70,000 are killed in conflict zones. Those figures clearly prove that the international community must focus not only on weapons of mass destruction but also on conventional arms. With that in mind, Latvia will assume the presidency of the Arms Trade Treaty next year and will spare no effort to promote its objectives. I call on all States to become parties to the Arms Trade Treaty, which would also contribute directly to the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We must join efforts to strengthen the principle of multilateralism. In an interdependent and globalized world, we can address and resolve global problems only through multilateral means.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals is the ultimate prevention agenda. They address the drivers and root causes of instability and conflict. Investing in human dignity, eradicating poverty, fostering climate resilience and promoting economic and social progress will reduce the incidence of conflict, instability and despair. The principles of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability therefore guide all Latvia’s activities in the area of development cooperation. Furthermore, gender equality is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is an essential precondition for inclusive sustainable development and for economic growth and prosperity. At the beginning of the twentieth century, combatants accounted for 90 per cent of conflict- related casualties.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Nations, along with relevant regional players, must remain involved and committed to resolving the protracted conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The history of the Baltic States is proof of the moral power of international law and justice. The international community must be more active in resolving those issues. No nation was ever secure in isolation. Member States therefore have a responsibility to ensure one another’s security. Clear consequences for aggressors, resolute international pressure and accountability for violations of international law are essential for the political resolution of a conflict. Settlement of the protracted conflicts in wider Europe remains of the utmost importance to the international community.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The use of the veto to shield narrow national interests in situations of mass atrocities is completely unacceptable. Territorial integrity and sovereignty, as enshrined in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, must be respected by all. The Russian Federation must stop its aggression against Ukraine. Together with the international community, we will maintain a non-recognition policy with regard to the illegal annexation of Crimea. I believe that one day international law and justice will prevail and that the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as that of other eastern partners of the European Union, will be restored.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“That is even more important given the increasingly complex global security challenges that we face. Conflicts and crises around the world that could not be prevented drag on for years and decades, destroying human lives, holding back development and draining the resources of the United Nations. The conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Yemen continue to take a heavy toll on civilians. We must also not forget the protracted instability in Burundi and Afghanistan. The mere length of preventable conflicts undermines the credibility of international organizations, including the United Nations. As the main guarantor of international peace and security, the Security Council has a particular responsibility in preventing conflicts, acts of aggression and mass atrocities.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“However, the stalemate in the reform of the Security Council must not impede progress elsewhere. The reform of the United Nations must include serious improvements in the protection and promotion of human rights. Achieving sustainable development through the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be complete without strengthening human rights around the world. The Human Rights Council must be strong and effective and have the ability to react quickly to serious human rights violations in any part of the world. Latvia is actively engaged in the process of improving the effectiveness of the Council. I invite all countries to join that process with an open mind. Latvia supports the Secretary-General’s vision and approach with regard to focusing on prevention at the United Nations.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Economic progress and sustainable development are based on long-term stability, which in turn requires peace and security and respect for human rights. The United Nations must be able to change, undertake serious reforms and thereby respond to the demands of the twenty-first century accordingly. We need a relevant and efficient United Nations. Latvia welcomes the reforms initiated by the Secretary-General in the three areas of peace and security, development and management. It is important that the reforms be implemented swiftly. This is a unique Organization with a heavy responsibility. The authority of the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security must be preserved. Security Council reform is long overdue, and we should all aim to strengthen the efficiency of that important body.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I urge nations to adhere to their commitments and obligations under international law and international human rights law, especially with regard to the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, which have notably deteriorated in the past year. In order to strengthen the role of the United Nations, efforts should be made to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. In August, the world lost an inspirational leader and a strong advocate for peace and human rights, former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who argued that we will not enjoy security without development, nor development without security, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights. The three pillars of the Charter are greater than the sum of their individual parts.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It remains the main global source of inspiration to continue working to ensure that all people may live with dignity and benefit from the blessings of freedom and equality. Security and human rights go hand in hand. Security cannot be achieved without respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The freedom of the press has been and continues to be vital to peace, justice and human rights for all. I therefore once again urge Russia to release the illegally detained Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. I call on the Myanmar authorities to free the two Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone. I also call on Russia to immediately release the other 64 Ukrainian political prisoners it has detained, including journalist Roman Sushchenko.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Nations was founded not only to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights but also to respect the obligations of international law. Human rights, including women’s and children’s rights, are among the most fundamental values of the United Nations. The Organization must be capable of defending those values in any situation, be it the bombing of civilians in Syria, the massacre of Rohingyas in Myanmar, the persecution of Crimean Tatars by the Russian authorities or other human rights violations wherever they occur. This year, we mark 70 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Since the restoration of independence in 1991, Latvia has been advocating compliance with international law and human rights. The protection of those principles was necessary throughout our transition to a democratic society, which was governed by the rule of law, and in building Latvia’s international role. Today, Latvia is a modern and proud European nation and an active member of the world community. The topic of this year’s debate invites us to focus on the very heart of the United Nations. The Charter of the United Nations starts with the words “We the peoples of the United Nations”, thus pointing out the Organization’s aim to represent the rights and interests of every human being on the planet.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We know all too well the consequences of allowing countries to break those principles with impunity. In Latvia’s case, it was a life under the occupation of Nazi and Communist regimes of terror and gross violations of human rights. We are grateful to all those nations that for decades implemented policies of non-recognition of the occupation of the Republic of Latvia and stood by their principles. In accordance with international law, the State of Latvia continued to exist throughout the occupation period. However, the Russian Federation — the official successor to the Soviet Union — still does not acknowledge the well-documented facts of history. I call on Russia to embrace the truth and clearly condemn the actions of the Soviet Union.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Those objectives were pursued both individually and collectively. Peoples’ right to self- determination materialized in concrete forms. New nation States were born. The Paris Peace Conference laid the foundations for the League of Nations, which was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain universal peace through the development of binding norms and multilateralism. Latvia also joined the League of Nations, firmly establishing its status as a full-fledged member of the international family. However, the weakness of the League of Nations was one of the main reasons why Latvia, for a time, lost its independence. The history of both the Soviet and Nazi occupations of Latvia and much of the European continent is a harsh reminder of what happens when serious violations of international law are tolerated.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“First of all, I wish to congratulate you, Madam, on your assuming the position of President of the General Assembly at its current session and provide assurances of Latvia’s full support. I also express gratitude to Mr. Miroslav Lajčák for his active role as President of the General Assembly at its previous session. I address the Assembly at a very special time for my country. This year, Latvia celebrates its centennial. A remarkable change occurred 100 years ago. The end of the First World War and the collapse of empires resulted in the liberation of nations and brought about a fundamental revision of Europe’s political map. A new Europe was born, which promised much more than just self-determination, freedom and democracy. The peoples of Europe expected lasting peace and prosperity.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)