YouSaid · the spoken record

Borrell Fontelles

lines on the record: 75
first: 2021-06-10
most recent: 2023-09-21
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-security-council

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

“We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia and to agree to the delimitation of the bilateral border between the two countries, in line with the letter and spirit of the 1991 Almata-Ata Declaration. The European Union also calls for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on all pending issues with the aim of concluding a peace treaty. We remain committed to continuing to facilitate dialogue between all sides in order to ensure a comprehensive, sustainable peace for the benefit of all the people of the region. The meeting rose at 5 p.m.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“The European Union and its member States stand ready to provide urgent humanitarian assistance. Today the European Commission announced an initial package of humanitarian aid to support those in need. Secondly, it should engage in a comprehensive and transparent dialogue with the Karabakh Armenians to ensure their rights and security, including their right to live in their homes in dignity. We note that a meeting was held today on that issue. Let me be clear. The European Union fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia and expects all actors to do the same.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“In that regard, the European Union has condemned the military operation by Azerbaijan, and we deplore the casualties and loss of life caused by that escalation. We have taken note of the respective announcements of a ceasefire and expect the cessation of hostilities and of any kind of violence to hold. The local population urgently needs humanitarian assistance, as well as guarantees that their rights and security will be respected. We therefore ask Azerbaijan to take the following concrete measures in that regard. First, it should ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to the civilian population in need, including through a full reopening of the Lachin corridor. It is important for humanitarian actors to be able to continue to operate and scale up their activities, as needed in the current situation.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“Mr. Borrell Fontelles: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting at this crucial moment. The European Union has been closely following the developments. Let me start by expressing my full solidarity with the Karabakh Armenians, who have been enduring a period of intense hardship. For months, they have been in isolation due to the blockage of the Lachin corridor leading to shortages of food and medicine, their freedom of movement has been obstructed, and they have been faced with multiple disruptions to the delivery of gas and electricity. Azerbaijan bears the responsibility to ensure full respect for the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians. As we have repeatedly made clear, the use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable.”
2023-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9422 (2023) · source
“We will work for peace in Ukraine and be a reliable partner for peace around the world, wherever peace is in danger and people are suffering.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“On the contrary, the European Union remains fully mobilized to promote sustainable peace elsewhere because we know that there are many more wars, tragedies and problems around the world that need our support and require our concern. It is not “instead of”; it is “on top of”. We will continue doing the same thing that we have been doing. And we have a strong track record of engagement around the world, financially and politically, with more than 5,000 women and men deployed in 21 crisis-management operations. Just this week, we launched two more — one in Armenia and another in the Niger. Yes, there are many other problems, many other wars, many other causes of suffering around the world. We will take care of them.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“We the European Union will remain ready to work with all genuine partners and ideas that support Ukraine’s effort to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in line with the resolution adopted by the General Assembly, based on the Charter and international law. Meanwhile, we will continue to support Ukraine in defending itself and protecting its people. The quest for peace and our support for Ukraine go hand in hand. They go together. It is not either/or. It is the quest for peace and support for Ukraine. With that, I want to make a final point. Our principled support for Ukraine does not come at the expense of our engagement elsewhere in the world.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“While the Security Council has been blocked, the General Assembly made it clear in General Assembly resolution ES-11/6, adopted by an overwhelming majority of 141 to 7 votes, that the world condemns the aggression; that Russia must withdraw its troops; and that the world wants and needs peace, but not just any peace. No, we want a just peace, based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It is urgent for the Kremlin to heed that message and act on it. Looking to the future, we need to build on that resolution and make it happen. We support the 10-point peace plan that President Zelenskyy has presented.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“The European Union and its member States have contributed to alleviating the burden of war-related consequences over the past year. In Africa, for example, more than €1.6 billion has been earmarked for activities related to food security in the most affected countries of the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin and the Horn of Africa. (spoke in English) This war matters a lot both because of the principles at stake and the shock waves that it is creating. It needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. That brings me to my second, and maybe most important, point. How do we get to peace? Everyone is asking for peace. But how do we get there? Here at the United Nations and around the world, there is a growing clamour for peace. That was the clear message that the General Assembly sent yesterday (see ES-11/PV.19).”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“Russian forces have been shelling Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure for months. Air-raid sirens have become a disturbingly regular feature of Ukrainian lives, as many of those here have witnessed, and as I did myself when I was in Kyiv 10 days ago. (spoke in French) One year later, the toll that the war has taken on the Ukrainian people has been catastrophic. But the war has also had effects on a global scale, with food and energy insecurity leading to price increases that have had a terrible impact on the most vulnerable populations. The increase in the prices of food and essential goods has added to the burdens on many countries throughout the world, already struggling with the difficulties of daily life. That is why this war is affecting everyone.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“In a catalogue of crimes, the forced deportation of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children stands out for its depravity. The abduction of innocent children and alteration of their personal status, including nationality, so that they can be adopted by Russian families, is a clear violation of human rights and international law, as well as a violation of the Geneva Convention. Those Ukrainian children need to be returned to Ukraine immediately. With regard to crimes against humanity, I have been to Bucha and have seen for myself the civilians killed, with some having their hands tied behind their backs before being executed. And who can forget Mariupol? I would once again like to pay tribute to the United Nations for its efforts in securing the safe passage of civilians trapped inside the Azovstal steel plant.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“Mr. Borrell Fontelles: On this day, exactly one year ago, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, starting a massive invasion of a peaceful neighbour. For a year, we have all seen the Ukrainian people fighting to defend their country. They deserve the solidarity of every person and country around the world. I will make just two essential points. The first is why Russia’s war of choice matters to all of us. The second is how we get to peace. We need to be clear. I say “war of choice”, because President Putin chose war. And for a year we have seen its horrors — 13 million people homeless; 21 million in need of humanitarian assistance; and tens of thousands of Ukrainians forced to leave their country and seek refuge across Europe. Families have been torn apart.”
2023-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9269 (2023) · source
“On Monday I will be hosting a high-level meeting with the Belgrade and Pristina leadership, the President of Serbia and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, in order to see if the engagement is serious and solid and presents a clear path to the normalization of relations between the two countries. There are many more countries and crises that I could mention, but let me leave it there. I have been talking for too long. On behalf of the European Union, I thank the Council for giving me this opportunity to explain to the world that beyond the Ukraine war, we remain committed to many crises. We and many people around the world are doing our best to improve the peace and security situation. I look forward to the comments of the Ambassadors here today, and I thank everyone for their continued cooperation.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“I met with the political leadership last week and addressed the need to deliver on the necessary reforms in order to make faster progress on that path, which is the best way to ensure peace, stability, democracy, freedom and progress for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am working on the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue as its coordinator, with the help of the United Nations. With regard to the normalization of relations, we are at a crucial juncture, and I hope that in the next few weeks I will be able to announce positive results. The European Union has presented a proposal to the parties that would put the normalization process on a solid, forward-looking track.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“(spoke in English) With regard to the Western Balkans, in Bosnia and Herzegovina I welcomed the unanimous decision to extend the executive mandate of the European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea) for an additional year. I am grateful for that decision, as it ensures that Althea can continue to support the authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all citizens, and I know how much the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina appreciate the mission. The EU candidate status provides a clear signal that the country’s future is in the European Union.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Let me say a few words in French, as I know how important the issue is for France. (spoke in French) In the Sahel, the security situation continues to deteriorate in an increasingly complex political context. But there too our commitment remains steadfast, because we know that when we act, we are doing so in a way that addresses security needs as well as those on the governance and humanitarian fronts. We have adapted to the changing dynamics by responding cautiously and carefully where necessary — in Mali and Burkina Faso — and by readjusting our bilateral response with partners who are more willing to work with us. In that regard, I already mentioned the Niger, and I would add Mauritania.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“The systematic gender apartheid in public life that the Afghan regime is imposing on Afghan women and girls, who account for half of the population, is totally unacceptable. We therefore cannot continue business as usual. But at the same time, we cannot punish Afghan women twice by halting assistance where it can still be delivered. Can we first watch the Taliban punish them, after which we punish them once again by cutting assistance? No. If assistance can be delivered with full respect for key principles and values, we will continue to do it. I thank the United Nations for its high-level engagement and coordination on the ground, including with the European Union. With regard to the situation in the Sahel, I want to approach it from a security perspective.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“We are trying to ensure that assistance reaches people in need everywhere in northern Syria, whether they are in areas that are under the regime’s control or not, because human beings deserve assistance regardless of whether the regime controls the territory or not. In the wake of the earthquake, we decided to introduce an additional, albeit time-limited, humanitarian exemption to our sanctions regime in order to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach the Syrian population in need as quickly as possible. Let us not forget Afghanistan. Two years ago, Kabul fell, but Afghanistan is still there. Developments there have gone from bad to worse because of the Taliban’s action and inaction.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“I want to stress that the European Union will remain fully engaged in all crises around the world, financially and politically. I would now like to devote the final part of my briefing to addressing some specific cases and regional crises. I want to start with the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye, which have resulted in more than 40,000 victims and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of homes. We are providing assistance to both countries, in close cooperation with the United Nations. We immediately sent medical teams, and we will organize a donors’ conference next month to finance the reconstruction. At the same time, we were already sending people to fight the enormous wildfires in Chile.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“I believe that we are well placed as a peace actor by virtue of our wider array of policies and instruments, combining mediation, prevention, diplomacy, security, trade, development cooperation and humanitarian tools. All of those together can enable us to engage throughout all phases of a conflict if it cannot be prevented. We are currently providing such support in 20 conflicts throughout the world. In 20 conflicts throughout the world, we are there, supporting civilians and trying to improve the situation. And we will reinforce our capacities to that end. This is therefore not just about Ukraine. We are paying attention to everything that matters in the world and maintaining our global engagement, because we know that while war has returned to Europe, it has not stopped elsewhere.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“We have several missions that provide military and civilian support to African countries, the latest example of which is the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique. Five of our civilian missions include a counter-terrorism mandate. As United Nations peacekeeping marks its seventy-fifth anniversary, we must use this opportunity to maximize the impact of United Nations operations. We support the Secretary-General’s call for a New Agenda for Peace. We are committed to continuing our support for African-led peace support operations and for the ongoing discussions on using United Nations assessed contributions for operations authorized by the Security Council. Regional organizations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, together with the European Union, play a key role in preventing and addressing crises.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“I will now turn to the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI, which is contributing to the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo. While it was the United Nations that declared the embargo, it has to be implemented, not just declared. Someone has to ensure that is executed effectively on the ground. And IRINI is the toughest way to provide support for the arms embargo, through inspections on the high seas off the coast of Libya of vessels suspected of breaking the embargo. IRINI remains the only actor doing that. Let us talk about terrorism, how it affects African countries and how helping African countries in the fight against terrorism is another key priority for the European Union.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Twenty years later, the EU has 21 civilian or military missions deployed around the world, mobilizing more than 5,000 people working for peace and security. The most recent missions include not only our military assistance mission in support of Ukraine, clearly, but also a presence in Armenia and, more recently, a military partnership mission in the Niger. Let me stress that the mission in the Niger demonstrates our willingness to remain engaged in the Sahel. The European Union is not abandoning the Sahel. It is working with its partners to the extent that they want. The mission’s explicit partnership approach, built on the clear demands of the Niger’s authorities, is aimed at increasing its effectiveness in that area, one of those at greatest risk anywhere in the world.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Let me continue discussing peace and security beyond the war in Ukraine. Unhappily, it is not the only conflict in the world. Let me turn to the specifics of the cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations on peace and security. Indeed, all European Union crisis management operations work with the United Nations as their partner. We are proud of that. We are proud of being a strong a partner of the United Nations in any crisis management process. Our strategic partnership on peacekeeping and crisis management dates back at least two decades. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of our first civilian mission, the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established 20 years ago.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“We need it, but we are not getting it. We see unprecedented floods, droughts and heatwaves. Every scientific report concludes that time is running out and that we need far more ambitious climate action. That means accelerating the green transition, but, again, in a just way. The green transition has to be just, or it will not happen, because those least responsible for causing the problem are the ones that will be most affected by it. That is why we want to contribute to that just transition. We are the world’s largest contributor of public climate finance worldwide, with €23 billion a year. As I said, climate change is also a security issue. The climate and security nexus will increasingly dominate the global agenda. That also means that the Security Council will have to shoulder its responsibilities regarding that issue.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“We have provided €18 billion to tackle food insecurity until 2024, and half of those resources will go to Africa and the Middle East. We know that it will not be enough, but we can perhaps say that there is strong support for those who are suffering the shock waves sent by that propagation of war affecting the entire world. It is the war and its consequences that are jeopardizing millions of people from the point of view of their livelihoods, facing energy and food prices that they cannot afford. Let us talk about climate. Climate is a test case for multilateralism, but it is also a security issue. Let us look beyond the war in Ukraine. Looking beyond the war in Ukraine, we see the climate crisis as a textbook example of where we need effective multilateral action. I am sorry to say that we are not getting it.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“It is a moment for countries to take a stand and to be counted. Meanwhile, the European Union will continue to help the rest of the world to cope with the fallout of Russia’s aggression. That is what we have been doing for a year now, and successfully. Food and energy prices are now declining, partly thanks to the “solidarity lanes”, which have enabled the export of 50 million tons of grain from Ukraine, and the vital Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations. Let me recall that the Black Sea Grain Initiative comes up for renewal in mid-March. It needs to be prolonged. It is the food for millions of people around the world that is at stake. Jointly with States members of the EU, we have increased our financial contributions to handle the fallout from the war.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Many people are clearly asking about peace, but the real questions are: what kind of peace are we talking about, and how do we achieve it? We need peace, and the Ukrainian people deserve peace, but not just any peace. We need a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, in line with the Charter of the United Nations. The first obvious step to peace is for the aggressor to stop its attacks and withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Until then, the European Union will continue to give Ukraine all the support that it needs to defend its population, and we will do so for as long as it takes. The two tracks — supporting Ukraine and seeking peace — go hand in hand. It is not either/or; it is both things. We count on the entire United Nations membership to show its support for those principles in Ukraine and elsewhere.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Let me summarize how we see them. First, there has been a year of war against Ukraine in addition to the global consequences. As I said yesterday before the General Assembly (see A/ES-11/PV.17), this war was and remains a clear case of aggression, in breach of the Charter of the United Nations. It is not a European issue. It is not about the West versus Russia. It is about the kind of world in which we want to live. That is not a world where no one is safe and where the illegal use of force is somehow normalized. That is why international law must be enforced everywhere to protect everyone from power politics, blackmail and military attacks. In a sentence, we need to ensure that aggression fails, and that international law prevails.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“It is also a good moment to recall that human rights are not only universal but also indivisible, and that they apply to everyone and everywhere. In the same vein, I think that we need to renew our commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development precisely because we see increasing global inequalities. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) summit later this year will be a crucial moment to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. As a sign of its commitment, in July, the European Union will submit its voluntary review on the SDGs at the high-level political forum on sustainable development. That will be an opportunity to share our efforts to support the achievement of the SDGs at home and around the world with the broader United Nations membership and to point to the challenges, as we see them.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“They are not isolated objectives. They are extraordinarily interlinked. Peace and security are preconditions for sustainable development but without sustainable development, we will not have peace and security, and without both of them, we will not have human rights. That is why we need to address all security threats, new and old, with a holistic approach. But equally, that is why we must counter the worsening human rights situation we see in many countries. We remain committed to all human rights — individual and collective, and civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights — especially this year. As Council members know, this year marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Universal means that human rights do not belong to any specific culture. They are universal.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“But that will happen only if all of us invest in revitalizing the multilateral system. It will not just happen by itself, as we sit in our positions and expect others to do the job, nor will it happen if countries stick to narrow, nationalist agendas. The EU is trying to do its part. We do our part. We have always been a strong supporter, investing in the United Nations, both politically and financially. Allow me to say that the European Union and its member States are the largest collective contributor to the United Nations budget. We have always backed the three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. What a beautiful set of words: peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. We know that each one depends on the other two for success.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Earlier this month, the Secretary-General sounded the alarm bell, and he was right in doing so. The Secretary- General warned that time is running out for the world to avoid meltdown. He called on everyone to act decisively before it is too late. Indeed, we are facing a global emergency. We see a proliferation of conflicts, the climate crisis, systematic attacks on democracy and human rights, and ever deeper global inequalities. The problems are mounting, and our collective capacity to find solutions is declining. If problems are mounting and the capacity to solve them is decreasing, we certainly face a bigger crisis, which we cannot afford. The proposal of the Secretary-General in Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) has the potential to deliver the reforms that the world needs at the Summit of the Future.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“Mr. Borrell Fontelles: This is my third briefing to the Council as European Union (EU) High Representative, but it is the first time I am able to join Council members in person. Every time I have participated, I have warned in my briefings about a deficit in multilateralism. I have described how a rise in power politics has led to more distrust, more point scoring and more vetoes, including here at the Security Council — more vetoes and fewer agreements. I have also described how the price was being paid in terms of problems not solved, conflicts that fester and people left at the mercy of events. I fear the situation this year is even worse and will become worse. The United Nations and the multilateral system are under threat as they have never been before.”
2023-02-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9268 (2023) · source
“As President Zelenskyy said in the General Assembly yesterday (see A/77/PV.7), where there have been crimes, there must be justice. Otherwise, peace will not be possible. We will do whatever it takes to ensure accountability. We rely on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and on the Ukrainian authorities. We are supporting the ICC financially and technically and assisting the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine by providing training, expertise and equipment, including for collected evidence. Ensuring accountability is the responsibility of all of us. We owe that not only to the victims, but also to the next generation — the future of Ukraine — because fighting impunity today will contribute to a more secure and just future for all. The meeting rose at 1.15 p.m.”
2022-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9135 (2022) · source
“We support the Black Sea Grain Initiative facilitated by the Secretary-General and Türkiye. Together with our European Union solidarity lanes, that has helped lower global food prices, but sadly has not corrected them. Still, two thirds of the Ukrainian grain exported through that corridor goes to the countries that need it most, not to Europeans. The core issue today is accountability. The Russian armed forces have been terrorizing civilian populations and are committing countless unspeakable crimes, including mass murder, destruction, rape and forced migration. Every victim of Russia’s aggression deserves justice and reparation. We have seen the recent images from the massacres in Izyum follow the pattern we saw in Bucha and elsewhere. As Russian troops are expelled, we discover the true horrors of their occupation.”
2022-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9135 (2022) · source
“It has failed in the past and it will fail again, as all wars of invasion eventually do. But how many more men, women and children will have to die before the Russian President decides to silence his guns? This war is more than a war in Europe. At stake is the issue of protecting weaker States from more powerful ones. Do we want the global rule of law or the law of the jungle? Do we believe in spheres of influence or the free choice of sovereign States? This war is a tragedy in so many ways. In addition to the terrible casualties and destruction caused in Ukraine, Russia is dragging the world into an economic recession and a global food crisis. The European Union is doing what it can to counter that fallout. Our support for global food security will amount to more than €7.7 billion through 2024.”
2022-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9135 (2022) · source
“The whole world has heard President Putin’s latest announcements about his plans to go ahead with sham referendums as a prelude to illegal annexation — which will never be recognized — as well as his mobilization of 300,000 reservists and his open nuclear threats. All of that has put global security in danger. The global leaders who are meeting at the United Nations in New York this week must send a clear and united signal that the use of weapons of mass destruction is unacceptable in any circumstances. I am encouraged by the many statements I have heard here today about this issue. Regrettably, President Putin is continuing along a dangerous path of escalation. He is trying to intimidate Ukraine and all the countries that support Ukraine. But that will fail.”
2022-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9135 (2022) · source
“I would like to warmly thank the French presidency of the Security Council for organizing today’s crucial meeting. (spoke in English) We are now more than six months into this illegal, senseless and brutal war. As many here have said today, the war is a frontal attack on the Charter of the United Nations and the international rules-based order. It is a chemically pure attack on the Charter. We join our voices to that of the International Court of Justice, which has ruled that Russia must halt its invasion immediately. The General Assembly has adopted resolutions by large majorities calling on Russia to stop its aggression. Morally and politically, Russia has already lost the war. And increasingly, it is losing on the battlefield as well. Ukraine will prevail.”
2022-09-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9135 (2022) · source
“Any kind of overinterpretation or market avoidance must be corrected, and we will do our best to dissipate any kind of misinterpretation. It would be good for others to do the same and avoid spreading disinformation on the matter. It is the common responsibility of us all to avoid a dramatic situation in the weeks to come, leading to millions of people being deprived of basic foodstuffs, which could very well happen. The United Nations is working hard to avoid that situation, and we are supporting the Organization to that end. I ask all members of the Council to contribute to that effort. Some can take action, while others can put pressure on the relevant actors. We all share a responsibility to avoid what may happen if things continue the way they are going.”
2022-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9065 (2022) · source
“We may not agree, but we should concentrate our efforts and try to avoid the next stage of this tragedy, which will be a huge wave of hunger across the world if Russia continues blocking the export of wheat from Ukraine. It is certainly not the European Union that is blocking those exports. We are certainly not bombing wheat storage facilities. I therefore take this opportunity to call on everyone here, in particular private actors, to do whatever they can in order to avoid the dramatic situation that could cause millions of people to suffer from a huge wave of hunger in the coming months. From our side, we will do everything we can in order to explain to economic actors that there is nothing in our sanctions that prevents the export of wheat and fertilizers from Russia.”
2022-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9065 (2022) · source
“I think, however, that I have a better interpretation of my own history. I do not think we are diverging from the prospect of peace, which is the essence of the European Union. We continue to be a Union that wants to engage in peace. We are not a military union, but we certainly cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in our neighbourhood — the aggression that one of our most important partners, Ukraine, is suffering. In my view, there is one important thing on which we should focus our attention. We can discuss the causes of the war endlessly, and certainly we will not agree. But one thing is clear: there are Russian troops in Ukraine, yet there are no Ukrainian troops in Russia. It is clear who the aggressor is.”
2022-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9065 (2022) · source
“We are sensitive to the security concerns of our countries and are ready to engage in discussions and negotiations to rebuild European security once Russia abandons its invasion of Ukraine and re-establishes its territorial integrity. I also welcome the Indian Ambassador’s comments on the European Union’s Indo-Pacific strategy, on the basis of which we look forward to strengthening our strategic partnership not only with India but also with the entire region. With regard to the main subject of discussion today — the situation in Ukraine and the role of the European Union — I was certainly not expecting to agree with the Russian Ambassador. I thank him for lecturing me on the interpretation of the historical role of the European Union and how the founding fathers conceived it.”
2022-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9065 (2022) · source
“Mr. Borrell Fontelles: I could not let the meeting end without thanking many members of the Security Council for their engagement and acknowledgement of the contributions of the European Union to global peace and security, as well as their support for the further strengthening of the European Union-United Nations partnership. I noted the remarks of many Ambassadors, in particular those of Gabon, Ghana and Kenya, who spoke about the important role of regional and subregional organizations in addressing global challenges. I agree with the Chinese Ambassador that we do not want to see the world organized into opposing blocs, which would lead only to greater insecurity.”
2022-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9065 (2022) · source
“The European Union strongly believes that the future of humankind will depend strongly on our capacity to cooperate and to work together to overcome conflicts and build a shared future for all of us. This institution, namely the Security Council, plays such an important role in that endeavour that I must once again reiterate our will to strongly cooperate with it in order to achieve prosperity for us all.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source
“This is a special time in our relationship with the United States. Just today, President Biden arrived on the European continent. Although he has landed on an island that has just left the European Union, it is still part of Europe. Next week, we will be holding important meetings at the highest level between President Biden and the Presidents of the European Union institutions, as well as several member States that have the honour to participate. I think it will be a good way to relaunch transatlantic relations from both sides of the Atlantic. It is important to mark the fact that we are starting a new relationship and a new era in terms of transatlantic relations that will benefit the rest of the world.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source
“Africa is our first partner in the field of peace and security. We are active in all crises and 10 of our 16 missions are deployed across the African continent. We have police officers, soldiers and civilian advisers from Europe training more than 30,000 African military, police and judicial personnel. We are so extensively engaged with promoting peace and stability in Africa that it would take too long to list everything we are doing. Nevertheless, we strongly believe that African States must be the main actors for their own stability and security. We need African solutions to African problems, but it is important to keep in mind that solid governance and development are integral in restoring security and overcoming crises. My final remarks are addressed to the representative of the United States.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank the representative of China for his words of appreciation regarding the European Union’s support in Palestine, as well as our role in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and our efforts to keep it alive. I think that there is still a lot of work we must do together in order to solve the underlying conflict in Israel and Palestine and to ensure a return to the Iran nuclear agreement, which contributes greatly to global security and to the security of our member States, Europe and the broader Middle East region in particular. We will continue working together on the root causes of conflicts, on sustainable development and especially on climate change, which cannot be resolved without China’s strong involvement. Finally, I wish to make some comments regarding Africa.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source
“We acknowledge that extraordinary success. We also agree with the Ambassador’s statement on multilateralism. We agree that no country can be fight today’s challenges or be multilateral alone, so I think that we must look for ways to establish the same understanding of what multilateralism means in theory and in practice. On Hong Kong, we agree on the principle of “one country, two systems” which, by the way, comes from an international agreement. However, we are very much concerned by the erosion of democratic principles in Hong Kong due to recent changes in the electoral system that, in our understanding and according to the question of fundamental freedoms, democratic principles and political pluralism, are central to Hong Kong’s identity and prosperity and are recognized under the international agreement on “one country, two systems”.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source
“We are probably one of the few international actors that are regularly reporting on their efforts to help implement the arms embargo, which remains crucial for Libya’s stability. I wish that those still harbouring doubts on the role played by European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI would display equal zeal in helping to ensure that the arms embargo is effectively implemented. That would be a great contribution to those efforts. I would like to talk about China, because the Chinese representative made a very important comment. I want to stress the extent to which the European Union values its relationship with China. China’s impressive economic development, which has lifted so many millions of people out of poverty in the past 40 years, constitutes a historic record in the history of humankind.”
2021-06-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8792 (2021) · source