YouSaid · the spoken record

Ivan Gašparovič

lines on the record: 83
first: 2004-09-24
most recent: 2013-09-24
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

“Slovakia has been contributing to a wide range of United Nations activities through its work in the Organization’s main bodies and its direct involvement in more than 17 peacekeeping operations, as well as by implementing over 400 humanitarian and development projects in more than 20 countries worldwide. Having won the trust of its partners, Slovakia has been elected to all relevant United Nations bodies, enabling it to promote and enforce even more effectively the values of the United Nations in all three main pillars of its work. I can assure the General Assembly that Slovakia will continue its tireless efforts to serve and assist in meeting the United Nations goals as a reliable partner.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The principles and objectives of the United Nations represent the firm cornerstone of Slovak foreign policy, based on the values of effective multilateralism. Over these 20 years, Slovakia’s cooperation with the United Nations has strengthened and intensified as Slovakia has grown and as its position as a stable democratic country and a reliable, proactive partner at the international level has been strengthened. Thanks to that development, in June I was able to host a summit of 20 Eastern and Central European presidents in Bratislava, where we discussed ways to address the current financial and economic crisis and on good regional cooperation.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The United Nations has the potential to be a global leader in ensuring peace and prosperity for all. But if its effectiveness is not enhanced, the Organization’s relevance will be at risk. In order to perform all its tasks, the United Nations must be strong, inclusive and open. Global links require strengthening existing partnerships with regional organizations, partners from the private sector and, last but not least, civil society. We understand that the United Nations needs sufficient financial and human resources to effectively fulfil its mandates, but we call for their more efficient use. This year, Slovakia celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its sovereign existence. It was only natural that the first steps of Slovakia as a sovereign State led to the United Nations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The focus of the development assistance provided by Slovakia reflects the needs of countries that rely on such assistance and responds to the global challenges within the international community. Slovakia has experience in political and economic transition and integration into European and trans-Atlantic structures. Slovakia now primarily shares the lessons it has learned from building civil society and public governance reforms with the countries of the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkans, as well as others, including Kenya and Afghanistan. Slovakia concentrates on poverty eradication by facilitating access to health care and education and by enhancing the status of women and young people in those countries. We are going through turbulent times.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Our efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals have been hindered by the ongoing lack of public funds and resources. The economic and financial crisis has helped to reveal a number of systemic deficiencies in the distribution and control of resources, in particular public ones, as well as the need to draw on innovative resources, including private ones, in the process. Slovakia wants to contribute to the discussion through its work in the Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing. Until recently, Slovakia was a recipient of development assistance. Naturally, it now wants to give back by supporting countries dependent on assistance from the international community. This year, we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of a national system for official development assistance.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We have only recently become a member of the Development Assistance Council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, reflecting our commitment to becoming a full-fledged member of the international community of donor countries. Slovakia has thoroughly studied the report of the High-Level Panel on the Post- 2015 Development Agenda, which sets out a global framework for development cooperation goals. The goals and measures must be coherent with and integrate development, social and environmental aspects in line with the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio. The new goals must ensure effective and measurable results. The crucial task will be identifying resources to meet the new sustainable development goals.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“There are some 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, many of them living in poverty, who are still excluded from equitable access to education, health care, jobs, and social and legal support systems. This dialogue is another step forward towards the empowerment of people with disabilities. We want to stress the importance of including this issue in the development agenda beyond 2015. We are also paying increased attention to ensuring access to energy supply, water and safe food for all. Slovakia wants to actively participate in the preparation of the development goals beyond 2015 and is getting ready for a new stage in development cooperation.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Ensuring sustainable development and social stability is beyond doubt the most effective way to prevent conflicts. That is an agenda in which the United Nations has enormous potential; however, it is one of the most fragmented within the United Nations system. We appreciate that this issue is among the key priorities of the current session. Its relevance is also evident in a series of important side events that focus on meeting the Millennium Development Goals and the development agenda in general. We particularly appreciate the initiative of the General Assembly in organizing the High-level Meeting on Disability and Development with the aim of ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities in the development agenda beyond 2015.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Therefore, we call on all United Nations Members that have not yet done so to ratify the Rome Statute and its amendments. This year, we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the World Conference on Human Rights and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Those historic documents are still relevant and represent a priority objective that the activities of the international community should pursue. They confirm that the universal nature of all human rights and fundamental freedoms is beyond question. At the same time, they emphasize the interconnection between peace and security, economic and social development, and respect for human rights. There can be no peace without economic stability and prosperity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Slovakia closely cooperates with the United Nations in building the effective and adequate capacity essential to security sector reform and emphasizing national and local ownership of all processes. The United Nations is a guarantor of an impartial system of support to its members in that area. Enduring peace requires respect for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The culture of impunity has no place in today’s world. The role of the International Criminal Court in the multilateral system is irreplaceable in that regard, as it focuses on preventing the perpetrators of the most serious crimes from going unpunished. But its decisions must be unquestionable. The Slovak Republic welcomed the adoption of amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in June 2010.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“With regard to eliminating nuclear threats and their secondary consequences for health and the environment, Slovakia actively supports the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- Ban Treaty, which we consider to be an important pillar of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. I wish to particularly stress — and I repeat this at every meeting here at the United Nations — that security sector reform is a key component of post- conflict development and effective reinforcement of the rule of law. In the context of the consolidation process, we therefore consider it an inseparable part of the security/rule of law/development structure. If we cannot give people security, safety, education and jobs, they will be quick to draw guns again in desperation. Unfortunately, experience offers proof of that.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We cannot have a secure, safe and stable environment without effective arms control and disarmament procedures in place as the basic instrument for conflict prevention. The signing of the Arms Trade Treaty has shown that the United Nations has the potential to make history and contribute substantively to greater security in the world through its shared commitment to a responsible approach to arms trading. Slovakia believes that the collective efforts of the international community can ensure that the Treaty will soon enter into force, and we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to promote that.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Slovakia welcomes and supports the renewal of talks between Israel and Palestine. It seems, however, that talks are not enough. A number of binding agreements and resolutions have been agreed on to date in order to resolve numerous issues, but they have not been sufficiently complied with. We therefore expect more in the way of implementation of agreed solutions. That is vital to peace, security, stability and further development in the entire region. Terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to peace and security. It plays a key role in many conflicts and most of its victims are civilians. We should keep our resolve to do everything to reach an agreement on a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. We will find a solution only through joint efforts under the auspices of the United Nations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The 50 years of the African Union’s existence have contributed to increased cooperation and development throughout the continent, and I believe it will stay on that path. Preventing conflicts and resolving their primary causes are long and complex processes. Africa still needs attention and assistance from the international community, with a focus on preventive diplomacy and national ownership of all processes. The Slovak Republic supports more intensive cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, as well as closer relations between the African Union and the European Union. We continue to pay close attention to the security situation in the Middle East. We are glad to see some positive signals among the worrying news from this part of the world.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The key to success of all these processes, even beyond 2014, is national reconciliation, based on the principles of constitutionality and respect for human rights. Afghanistan needs consistent, predictable and targeted support and assistance both from its neighbours and the entire international community. We consider cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations pivotal in that regard. Africa remains a vulnerable continent with a high concentration of conflicts. We believe that it will be able to make progress towards stability, prosperity and greater cooperation in a sustainable manner, with help from the United Nations and regional organizations such as the African Union.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Slovakia’s involvement in international crisis management and in building and maintaining peace, stability and prosperity has long focused on Afghanistan, where the Slovak Republic has provided military as well as civilian and humanitarian aid. We greatly appreciate the work done by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and its challenging role in assisting the Afghan Government with its security, political and economic transition. Indeed, security, economic development, good governance, the protection of human rights for all and, last but not least, the preparation and organization of free elections, must be the founding pillars in building a new Afghan State. The upcoming presidential election will be a milestone in Afghanistan’s history.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Slovakia condemns the use of chemical weapons on principle as a crime against humanity and requests urgently that the perpetrators be brought before the International Criminal Court. Continued engagement on the part of the United Nations is essential, since there is no functioning alternative to its role. Our recent experience in addressing international and national crises and conflicts in various regions of the world, including the so-called Arab spring, encourages us to be extremely cautious when considering action by the international community. The analysis of the consequences of such action must be at least as detailed and elaborate as that of how to conduct a potential intervention.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is frightening not only because of the number of casualties and refugees; what is equally alarming is the inability of the Security Council to take any effective action. Thoughtful reflection on all the possible consequences of a military intervention in Syria makes it clear that there is only one good solution to this conflict, the diplomatic one. We must not be afraid to choose compromise solutions that could serve as a basis for positive resolution of the problem in the future. The United Nations plays a key role in ensuring that civilians have access to humanitarian aid, and that those who commit crimes against humanity are punished and, above all, in enforcing a truce and launching talks on stable post-conflict arrangements under the “Geneva II” initiative.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The one thing that remains unchanged, however, is the power of our joint efforts and cooperation. Thrown off balance, the world expects that we will assume responsibility for taking resolute action together and on behalf of humanity, not governed solely by our narrow national or corporate interests. The time has come to learn to respect our diversity and become in truth the United Nations. Achieving the two primary goals of this Organization — peace and prosperity for all — remains our greatest challenge and our primary responsibility. Effective multilateralism is therefore in the national interest of us all. Our resolve and ability to respond effectively are being tested by the current Syrian crisis. The conflict threatens the entire region.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“To address the General Assembly on behalf of Slovak citizens is a great responsibility. It is a great responsibility for all of us who have been entrusted with such a mandate by our citizens. They rightly expect that this unique global Organization will seek and find effective solutions to bring greater peace, stability and prosperity to humankind. I believe that with President Ashe’s experience we will succeed in that task. I wish to thank his predecessor, Mr. Vuk Jeremi., for the vigour with which he presided over the General Assembly at its last session. I convey my deepest respect to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose foresight and impartial service epitomize the values of the Organization. We have been going through a period of controversial changes and unperceived opportunities, as well as unprecedented challenges.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Global threats to security, the economy, the environment or society know no borders and are so extensive that no country and no regional organization can alone respond to or defend against them effectively. We believe that, together, we will make progress on our agenda during the current session of the General Assembly. That is what our citizens expect from us.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The Slovak Republic has joined the initiative requesting that the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria be investigated by the International Criminal Court. The primary responsibility for the protection of its citizens is always borne by the Government and democratic institutions of a country. The aim is to build a country governed by the rule of law, respecting international principles and at the same time reflecting traditional common law. Slovakia is committed to the United Nations principles set out in the Charter. We believe that the key to resolving global problems in today’s interconnected world is an inclusive and effective multilateralism.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Afghanistan remains the top-priority foreign military operation for Slovakia. Our troops will stay in Afghanistan as long as necessary. Security and stability also depend on a stable economy. Therefore we also wish to intensify our involvement in the area of development assistance. Afghanistan remains one of the three primary recipients of Slovakia’s official development assistance. At the same time, we support the central role of the United Nations and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in capacity-building and stabilization in Afghanistan. Wherever in the world human lives are at risk, the international community should be prepared to take resolute action. Allow me to express my deepest regret over the thousands of victims of the conflict in Syria.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The protection of civilians is one of the main objectives under the mandates of peacekeeping operations. It will enable the restoration of political processes in a country, including the implementation of measures aimed at the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, as well as of ordinary people affected by the conflict, including children. As the road from conflict to enduring peace is complicated, it is important that we prepare strategies for the peacekeeping forces to anticipate and transfer responsibility for peacekeeping in a host country with the aim of eliminating duplicate instruments and procedures. Last year, the international community devoted considerable attention and funds to support Afghanistan on its road towards responsibility for its own security and for meeting its obligations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“With regard to further improvements in the work of peacebuilding missions and increasing their effectiveness, I would like to mention three aspects that I consider crucial: first, cooperation among United Nations missions; secondly, the protection of civilians and the contributions to monitoring human rights; and, thirdly, the need to prepare a strategy for the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, that is, increased effectiveness in the implementation of security sector reform. More intensive cooperation among peacekeeping missions will allow for effective sharing of funds, equipment and personnel between neighbouring missions, as well as contribute to improving the capabilities of United Nations peacekeeping forces to adequately respond to unforeseen situations.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We believe that despite the regrettable turmoil in the region and the unwillingness of some countries to cooperate, we will overcome the differences and jointly bring the conference to a successful conclusion, for the sake of our common goal, namely, peace and security in the Middle East without the fear of nuclear weapons. Success of the conference would also support long- lasting efforts to drive away concerns over the Iranian nuclear programme. Rocket tests performed by Iran do not contribute to belief that its nuclear programme serves a peaceful purpose.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Our objective is to curb irresponsible dealing in arms and to prevent their transfer to the hands of terrorists, criminals and other illicit groups. I regret that the years-long efforts of States, in cooperation with civil society, were not crowned with success at the July 2012 Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty. I believe that further negotiations will lead to a consensus on an effective agreement. A world free of nuclear weapons is one of the priorities long pursued by the international community. Although we have made some progress in this respect in recent years, there are still countries that are not parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We appreciate that a conference on a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction has been scheduled for December 2012 in Helsinki.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Slovakia takes seriously its moral duty to help developing countries and countries in distress. We have less than three years to go to accomplish the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. We need to step up our efforts. As a donor country, Slovakia contributes its share to addressing the pressing problems of global development. Despite its tight budget, Slovakia increases its total contribution to official development assistance every year. A secure and stable environment conducive to development cannot be achieved without effective arms control and universal disarmament as the fundamental instruments of conflict prevention. Slovakia is an advocate of a comprehensive, universal and binding arms trade treaty.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We support Sustainable Energy for All, an initiative launched by the Secretary-General. In the spirit of the initiative, we emphasize, among other things, the positive aspects of the use of nuclear energy in the energy and health care sectors. I am convinced that priority investments in research to increase the operational safety and security of nuclear power plants would be more useful than massive investment in the closure of functioning power plants. Slovakia is prepared to intensively and constructively cooperate with partners in order to maximize the effective functioning of the United Nations system in the economic, social, environmental and other areas. We support strengthening the Economic and Social Council and more effective cooperation of the Council with the General Assembly and other entities across the United Nations system.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We need a political willingness on the part of all Members and a clear vision to adapt the United Nations to the global demands of the twenty- first century. One of the instruments for preventing conflicts is the elimination of poverty and ensuring sustainable development for all, and in all aspects. The United Nations has the necessary tools in its hands. At a time of fiscal constraints, we have to use the existing tools more effectively. We do not need to create new parallel or duplicate structures. At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), we agreed that we needed an inclusive, strong multilateral system that will be able to effectively address threats in the area of sustainable development. Such a system is crucial for enduring peace and, of course, for security.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“They are vulnerable when they live on credit, when the moral hazard goes beyond what is sustainable. The crisis has shown that peace has its limits in every society, whether that society is more or less advanced. It is important for the global economy that the strongest economies are stable and, in particular, that they are aware of their responsibility for global development and the sustainability of social stability in the world. This is not only about the application of the principle of social solidarity; it is about the self-preservation of humankind. We therefore have to pursue a common target: to transform the United Nations into an effective Organization with a leading role in a new international environment.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“The United Nations, with its multipurpose focus, possesses the potential to effectively assist its Members in all those areas. But it must be adequately empowered to do so. However, we still differ considerably on what the United Nations should do, and how. Terrorism poses an imminent threat to every one of us, yet we are unable to find common grounds to describe its characteristics. Climate change has brought about crucial changes with concrete impacts on agricultural production, yet the production of greenhouse gases and emissions does not decline. The gap between the wealthy and the poor has been growing. An increasingly important role is being played by non-State actors — multinational corporations and speculative investors. The crisis has shown that even the strongest economies are vulnerable.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Famine and thirst have even more devastating consequences than weapons. Unfair distribution of wealth, social imbalances, poverty and the feeling of injustice remain breeding grounds for conflicts and disputes. Persons whose basic needs are met do not seek conflict; rather, they seek ways of making the best of their lives. In that context, I think that prevention is the most effective tool for ensuring peace, sustainable growth and a life of dignity. It is crucial to eliminate the primary causes of conflicts, including through poverty reduction, sustainable development, respect for human rights, the rule of law and respect for its instruments, building of democratic institutions, and arms control. Those are the basic building blocks of peace and prosperity.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Therefore, we appreciate the appeal to concentrate specifically on that crucial aspect of international relations. We are all obliged under the Charter of the United Nations to resolve disputes by peaceful means so that peace and security are not at risk. The Charter provides us with a range of options, including negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and other peaceful means, which must be used effectively. Mediation under the auspices of the United Nations is key to resolving conflicts by peaceful means. Reinforcing United Nations mediation capacities, confidence-building, improved implementation of the Charter and enhanced respect for its provisions are central. While the nature of conflicts evolves and changes, their essence remains the same — achieving goals by violence. I refer not just to military battles.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We have been through an extremely challenging year full of unexpected twists and turns, including some severe new conflicts, grave violations of human rights, disease, famine, terrorism and extremism, as well as other threats to peace and security, which, unfortunately, we cannot always successfully prevent. Attacks have even occurred against diplomats and diplomatic missions, which we resolutely condemn as totally unacceptable. It is the way we go about resolving constantly occurring conflicts and the effectiveness of our responses to new threats that tells us how successful we are in meeting the objectives of the United Nations. Violence can never be the right way to settle a dispute. Open dialogue, respect for mutual differences and a joint search for solutions by peaceful means is the only way to proceed; there is no alternative.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“Besides numerous indisputable benefits, the process of globalization introduces new challenges. I will mention just three challenges encountered in the early twenty-first century: the global economic crisis, environmental change and man-made threats, including terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. We need global partnership and cooperation. We need strong multilateralism. We need a proactive United Nations that can lead effectively on all fronts: political, economic, military, social and civil. We need a trustworthy United Nations that people can rely upon to save them from the scourge of war. We need to work together towards our common goal: peace, security and dignity for all. The Organization’s primary objective is to preserve peace and security in the world.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“At the outset, I wish to convey thanks and appreciation to the Secretary- General for his true commitment to the fulfilment of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The United Nations and its General Assembly are a unique tool, the one and only global forum that provides room for dialogue to discuss strategic visions and to seek policy-level solutions to the problems that we are jointly confronted with at the international, regional and national levels. It is our obligation and moral duty to search together for ways of bringing peace and prosperity to all humankind. Conflicts do not stop at borders. The world we live in is so interconnected that every problem is a problem for all of us and every threat is a threat faced by all. At the same time, every success is of benefit to all of us.”
2012-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 67 (2012)
“We wish for the European integration processes of the Western Balkan countries to move forward. We also wish for the Balkans to see peace agreements and not imposed solutions. The United Nations must be able to effectively respond to the current challenges of the twenty-first century. This calls for synergies across all United Nations bodies, programmes, funds and specialized agencies. But, more importantly, since Member States determine their activities and their direction, we need to build synergies among us. The people of our countries are looking to see positive results. I am confident that, under the Assembly President’s leadership, the United Nations will make great strides in advancing its cause.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Slovakia will continue to participate in the stabilization and development of Afghanistan by contributing to NATO- and EU-led stabilization and training operations and by implementing humanitarian and development aid projects. Slovakia remains a staunch supporter of a peaceful and just settlement of the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the Secretary-General. More than 20 years of our support for negotiations and the continued involvement, since 2001, of the largest contingent of the Slovak armed forces in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus within the United Nations crisis management operations, bear witness to our engagement in this respect. As for the Western Balkans, we are looking to strengthen stability and support democratic processes.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“As members of the United Nations, we all have to support respect for the binding nature of Security Council resolutions — particularly when it comes to preserving peace around the globe. For this reason, we support diplomatic negotiations on the Iran issue, as well as on the situation on the Korean peninsula, which is a matter of concern. Slovakia welcomed the conclusions of the Kabul International Conference on Afghanistan. The Conference marked a new phase of partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community, based on the principle of a gradual Afghanistanization of the country, that is, the transition to full Afghan leadership and responsibility to be achieved in the Kabul Process.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“At this stage, we appreciate the contributions of all facilitators involved in reconciling the demands of both sides by way of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks that were launched recently. We are hopeful that the Palestinian and Israeli leaders will find a way of coming to an agreement that will lay down the final arrangement of their mutual relations. This is necessary for world peace. Africa, as the most troubled continent, continues to call for special attention by the international community. We need to address the origin and the essence of the problems, not only their consequences. On the other hand, we are pleased to see the progress made in the stabilization and development of countries such as Ghana, Benin, Togo, Mauritius and others.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We play a leading role in the interregional initiative aimed at the adoption of a new optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Slovakia fully supports the fight to end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes under international law, such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. As a facilitator for the universality and implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, we actively work towards increasing the number of States Parties to the Rome Statute and towards its proper implementation. Slovakia closely watches the situation and problems in individual regions of the world. The long-term effort to reach lasting peace in the Middle East has failed to yield the expected results.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Our experience shows that we need to strengthen the links between the Economic and Social Council and other organizations of the United Nations system and beyond, provided they work towards the same objectives. Slovakia welcomes the establishment of UN Women — the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. We believe that this entity will help curb all forms of violence against women. We also extend our good wishes for a successful mandate to the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Slovakia rejects any and all forms of intolerance, xenophobia, discrimination, racism and extreme nationalism. We are devoted to the protection of and support for human rights at both the national and 10-54833 14 international level.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“There is an inherent link between the two, and both have an impact on the life of individuals, who are part of the universal system. The people of Slovakia had the misfortune to witness nature’s power as floods of an unprecedented scale ravaged our country earlier this summer. A proper balance must be struck between development and respect for nature, based on well-reasoned arguments supported by proper analysis, and without giving way to the influence sought by certain narrowly focused transnational organizations that call themselves environmentalists. For the first time this year, Slovakia took part in the Economic and Social Council meetings as a member.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“The key role of the United Nations and its Member States must also be confirmed in this financial and economic dimension at the global level. At the High-level Plenary Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, we shared the view that since our efforts in achieving these Goals started some 10 years ago they had not become less topical or less important. Eradicating poverty and hunger, improving the quality of education, adequate employment, improving health-care services and housing, improving maternal health, gender equality and environmental sustainability remain among the central concerns of United Nations programmes, funds and specialized agencies. Everyday life also shows us that creating conditions for equitable and sustainable development must go hand in hand with respect for nature and its rules.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are determined to uphold this effort in cooperation with the Inter-agency Task Force on Security Sector Reform, as well as with other Member States and subregional organizations. Under the Charter, the primary responsibility for international peace and security lies with the Security Council. The process of its reform could almost be called a never-ending story. We are therefore pleased that the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform were given a clearer shape. It must stand on the following pillars: representativeness, effectiveness in fulfilling its mission and transparency of its working methods, while allowing for possible enforcement of its decisions by sanctions. The global financial and economic crisis laid bare the weak spots in the existing structures of the world economic order.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“We are glad that since then several strategic papers have been produced and that progress has been made in building the requisite capacities, particularly in cooperation with African countries. As the chair of the Group of Friends of security sector reform, we continue to actively work towards strengthening the relations in this matter between Member States and the Secretariat. In the course of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly, we teamed up with our partners from Argentina and Indonesia to hold regional workshops dealing with security sector reform in the broader context of preserving and building peace and, at the same time, establishing a link between its global and regional aspects.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“It is, however, necessary to exert synergic efforts taking due account of the interests of all stakeholders at the local, regional and global levels in order to eliminate sources of conflict and proceed directly with establishing peace. The establishment of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, which is headed by a Slovak diplomat, was a step in the right direction. The recent events in Kyrgyzstan confirmed the usefulness of this instrument and underscored the need to support it further. Slovakia takes an active part in peace processes. Since our non-permanent membership in the Security Council in 2006 and 2007, we have continued our involvement in security sector reform.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“I believe that the new Global Field Support Strategy will contribute, in real terms, towards a more rapid deployment of peacekeeping missions and, at the same time, ensure a more efficient utilization of human and financial resources. Proper coordination between the United Nations and regional organizations plays an important role. There is room for improvement, for example, when it comes to cooperation between the EU and NATO at the operational level, but also for a more effective coordination at strategic level. 13 10-54833 The United Nations must also play a key role in the prevention of conflicts. Slovakia supports the prevention and mediation role of the United Nations and its capacity-building.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)
“Adequate attention must also be paid to small arms, the uncontrolled spread of which may have devastating consequences for the maintenance of peace and security, particularly in conflict areas. United Nations peacekeeping operations represent one of the most visible activities of the United Nations in its efforts to preserve peace and security in the world. Slovakia, as an active contributor to United Nations missions and other international crisis management operations based on a United Nations mandate, welcomes the steps towards reviving the reform of peacekeeping operations as described in the document “ A New Partnership Agenda: Charting a New Horizon for UN Peacekeeping”.”
2010-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 65 (2010)