YouSaid · the spoken record

Burian

lines on the record: 600
first: 2005-05-26
most recent: 2019-09-25
sittings or episodes: 79
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

“The Government of Kosovo must try harder to ensure that everyone in Kosovo is able to get equal treatment and the same level of respect regardless of ethnic origin or religious beliefs. In that connection, we also note the assurances given by Mr. Sejdiu, newly elected President of Kosovo, that Kosovo's institutions remain fully committed to the further implementation of standards. Success in the implementation of the post- conflict project for a multi-ethnic Kosovo will in practice be measured by the situation on the ground for Kosovo Serbs and other ethnic groups. In our opinion, the low number of refugees and internally displaced persons returning to Kosovo is an alarming indicator that the current efforts of the Kosovar Government to create adequate conditions for returns are insufficient.”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“We also call on Belgrade and Pristina to allow Kosovo Serbs to exercise their rights in a way that will contribute to a positive atmosphere for the negotiating process and to the stabilization of the region. Secondly, we believe that standards of democracy and tolerance are the key to peaceful multi-ethnic co- existence. We fully support the Secretary-General's appeal to all parties to take visible and tangible steps towards progress in the implementation of the standards, which, in our opinion, has been insufficient and slow. Lack of progress in that area affects the day- to-day lives of all people, especially those belonging to national or ethnic minorities.”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“In that context, we believe that all options for the outcome of the status talks should remain open for discussion. In our view, it is also important that all participants in the talks refrain from any kind of activities or statements that can give Belgrade or Pristina the undesirable impression that the outcome of final status talks has already been prejudged or precooked. In our view, the participation of the Kosovo Serbs in the future status process and their engagement in Kosovo's political life is of critical importance. We therefore call upon Kosovo Serbs to participate in the process and in the political life of Kosovo in order to influence the processes that will be decisive for their future.”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“At the same time, it is our understanding - and as is highlighted in the Contact Group's guiding principles for the settlement of Kosovo's status - that the settlement of the issue of Kosovo must be fully compatible with international standards of human rights, democracy and international law, and must contribute to regional security. That is why we believe it is important to seek a negotiated settlement and compromise from both Belgrade and Pristina on the issues of future status and peaceful co-existence through direct talks and dialogue. Only a solution that reflects the objective and legitimate concerns of all parties involved, and which is not considered as being imposed from outside, will, in our view, contribute to lasting security and stability in the region.”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“We believe that, as a result of the Security Council's decision to launch negotiations to define the future status of Kosovo, the role of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is even more vital and instrumental for the peace, stability and prosperity of the region, as well as for the lasting settlement of the issue of Kosovo. Slovakia fully associates itself with the statement to be made by the representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union. I shall therefore limit my statement to several points that we consider to be critical for Kosovo's future. First of all, we understand and support the need to find a lasting and balanced settlement regarding Kosovo's future status.”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“We too would like to welcome President Tadic of the Republic of Serbia and to thank him for his statement. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere condolences to Mr. Kosumi, Prime Minister of Kosovo, and to the people of Kosovo, on the passing away of President Rugova. At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his comprehensive briefing. We commend the very profound and balanced analysis and evaluation of the situation in Kosovo contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).”
2006-02-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5373 (2006) · source
“The questions of development and respect for human rights are clearly issues that will need further attention from the international community, since there is no security without development and respect for human rights. Last but not least, the international community should bear a major responsibility with regard to formulating and implementing post-conflict strategies once the transition is complete. The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission could not be timelier. There is already one suitable candidate in the Great Lakes region for the Commission's attention: Burundi. We believe that there will be another after 30 June. Slovakia welcomes the draft resolution on peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region (S/2006/51). We believe that it comprehensively covers the complex issues that the Great Lakes region faces.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“Ownership of solutions to those problems must be assumed by national Governments. The regional level of cooperation has special importance. Neither national, nor international efforts can bear the desired fruit in the Great Lakes region if they are not implemented in the regional framework. We would like to encourage the countries of the region and other regional stakeholders to accelerate their efforts to prepare for the second Great Lakes Summit, which should adopt the proposed Security, Stability and Development Pact for the Great Lakes region and enhance the existing forms of dialogue and cooperation, with special regard to confidence and security-building measures.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“That is the reason Slovakia is ready to support initiatives of the international community that would, in cooperation with the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and the Sudan, identify possible measures that could then be taken by the Security Council to eliminate the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army. Since the situation in the Great Lakes region is extremely complex, the responses must be comprehensive and far-reaching. There are three levels on which the problems must be tackled: national, regional and international. On the national level, fighting corruption and implementing the principles of good governance are imperatives. Security-sector reform, demobilization and disarmament processes must be further enhanced and accelerated.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“However, we cannot overlook the fact that innocent civilians continue to die. There are new patterns emerging in the campaign of the Lord's Resistance Army, including attacks on humanitarian workers and peacekeepers who are on the ground to help refugees and internally displaced persons and to safeguard peace. We think that decisive action is needed to stop the destructive activities of the Lord's Resistance Army and to bring perpetrators to justice by executing the warrants of the International Criminal Court. Secondly, we agree that the primary responsibility to protect lies with Governments. However, it is the responsibility of the international community to help and protect the most vulnerable if the national authorities are not able to cope with the magnitude of the problem.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“It is therefore crucial to prevent such attempts and not to allow the deterioration of the security situation to have a destructive effect on political processes that have proceeded well so far. Slovakia is deeply concerned about the recent instances of renewed fighting in North Kivu and Katanga, and especially about the attack against the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) that occurred on 23 January 2006. In that context, we want to emphasize a problem that has been overlooked by the international community for a long time. I am speaking of the most violent and cruel criminal activities carried out in the region by the Lord's Resistance Army. In that connection, we would like to stress two points. First, we note the efforts made by the Ugandan Government to tackle the issue.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“That is why I will limit myself to a few points that we feel strongly about. The full text of our statement will be circulated. In recent months we have witnessed encouraging developments in the field of political consolidation in the Great Lakes region: democratic elections in Burundi and a successful constitutional referendum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those positive moments provided proof of the political maturity of the peoples of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and can serve as a beacon of hope within the grim reality of the current situation in the Great Lakes region. We are aware that there are possible spoilers who could benefit from postponements in the peace and national reconciliation processes.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“At the outset, I would like to affirm that the Great Lakes region represents one of the major security challenges of the contemporary world. We think it is high time to address the problems of the region in all their complexity, and to achieve a lasting peaceful settlement that will contribute positively to the stability and development of the entire continent. In that context, we commend the United Republic of Tanzania for taking this very relevant and timely initiative. We agree with you, Madam President, that this meeting of the Security Council is truly a historic event. Slovakia associates itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Austria on behalf of the European Union, and with the statement delivered by Mr. Louis Michel of the European Commission.”
2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source
“We have also heard that 15,000 refugees are living in the open at the airfield in Kisoro, waiting for the situation to improve. Can the High Commissioner provide us with some details about the current situation of Congolese refugees on the Ugandan border, as well as about the possible actions of UNHCR to assist that group of refugees, who are eager to return home but who are trapped at the border? We have heard that, according to current UNHCR practices, the agency can only provide water for refugees who are in the border area, and nothing more. We wonder whether that practice can somehow be changed in the future.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“We also believe that UNHCR can contribute to its work by virtue of its unique potential and the experience it has gathered in areas of conflict over the years. In conclusion, I would like to ask Mr. Guterres a question concerning recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the safety of refugee returns to that country from neighbouring countries, especially Uganda. According to the latest news, having fled fighting in the Kivu region of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congolese refugees in Uganda have begun to return home in recent days. As we have heard, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is very volatile, with military activity having resumed in that country in recent days.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“We highly commend UNHCR for its remarkable success in helping more than 4 million refugees in Afghanistan to return to their homes. We also welcome the information provided by Mr. Guterres regarding the progress made in the repatriation of 66,000 refugees to Burundi last year; more than 38,000 Liberians have also been repatriated. This has been made possible by the improved security situation in those countries. In that connection, we share Mr. Guterres's belief that UNHCR should become an important partner and participant in the future activities of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peace Support Office. We believe that the Commission will provide us with an effective tool for securing post-conflict stability and development.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“Strengthening the international community's overall capacity to protect civilians affected by armed conflict is one of my Government's priorities. In that context, we commend the efforts of UNHCR to address one of the biggest challenges of the current refugee regime: the problem of people internally displaced by conflict. We agree with Mr. Guterres's past statement that the treatment of people internally displaced by conflict has been one of the biggest failures of the international community in the past. In that connection, we welcome the strengthening of UNHCR's support for collaborative efforts to comprehensively address situations of internal displacement, which is defined as one of UNHCR's global strategic objectives. We would like to hear Mr. Guterres's views about the progress and challenges in that area.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, for his briefing, which provided a valuable update on the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the conflict areas of the Sudan and the Great Lakes region. We very much appreciate the relentless efforts of UNHCR staff and missions in providing protection and assistance to the 19.2 million refugees and internally displaced persons around the world. In that context, we support UNHCR's global strategic objectives as formulated in its ninth global appeal, with special emphasis on enhancing the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the agency's operations by institutionalizing results-based management.”
2006-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5353 (2006) · source
“We are convinced that the time is approaching when the issue of Timor-Leste will graduate from the agenda of the Security Council and will instead be transferred, as a successful case of a resolved conflict, to the Peacebuilding Commission and other United Nations institutions to further and more appropriately assist the Government of Timor- Leste in completing the process of peacebuilding and transition.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“We must break the cycle of impunity and bring the perpetrators to justice. The former United Nations Serious Crimes Unit and the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation documented thousands of instances of torture, rape and execution, which must be fully investigated and appropriately prosecuted. In conclusion, I would like to express our appreciation for the excellent work done by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Hasegawa, and the UNOTIL personnel. We highly commend them for their commitment and for the progress made in implementing the key tasks mandated by the Security Council.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“We welcome the efforts of the Governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia to develop good- neighbourly relations between their countries and to build stability and confidence through a process of reconciliation. We commend the establishment of the bilateral Commission for Truth and Friendship, which is trying to achieve reconciliation and to define ways to overcome the burden of the past. At the same time, reconciliation must not in any way mean that those who committed the most serious crimes of rape and murder escape unpunished. In our View, by overlooking the wrongs of the past in this area, the international community would set a very dangerous precedent. It would also send the wrong signal to those who are committing or planning atrocities in other parts of the world.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“In that connection, we think that the proposal made by the President of Timor-Leste, explained in detail in the letter from the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2006/39), to create a smaller special United Nations political office after the mandate of UNOTIL expires in May 2006, deserves further serious consideration. Recent incidents on the border with Indonesia underline the necessity to address the issues of proper training for border police and of finalizing the process of border demarcation. We urge both Timor-Leste and Indonesia to continue working out measures for strengthening confidence in the border area. In that connection, we welcome the development of contacts between the Border Patrol Unit in Timor-Leste and its Indonesian counterpart.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“In that context, we commend UNOTIL for its activities in supporting the development of critical State institutions in Timor-Leste, including the police and the judiciary. There is no doubt that the key milestone on the road of transition will be the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2007. We believe that the establishment of a solid legal framework governing the elections will play a crucial role in providing a level playing field for all and in ensuring a transparent and credible outcome. We support the Secretary-General's recommendation that an international political presence be retained in Timor-Leste until the end of the electoral process in order to better provide all the guidelines and support necessary for the preparation and successful outcome of the elections.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“In that connection, we are pleased to note that Timor-Leste is making steady and tangible achievements in reconstruction and State-building. Despite remarkable progress in the establishment of democratic institutions, there are still formidable challenges and tasks that need to be addressed in order to assist the country in its recovery from conflict and in developing its capacities to achieve sustainable peace and development. During the past three years, the Government of Timor-Leste has proved that it is capable of assuming ownership and responsibility for resolving problems of transition. The lack of human and financial resources, as well as insufficient infrastructure and administrative capacities at this stage, however, require the continued engagement and assistance of the international community.”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor- Leste, for his comprehensive briefing. I join other Council members in welcoming His Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmao, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, to our meeting. Slovakia highly values President Gusmao's personal contribution to the process of rebuilding and reconciliation and of healing the wounds of Timor- Leste after his nation suffered some of the worst atrocities of modern times. I can assure him of our continued commitment and our support for the successful transition of Timor-Leste. We share the evaluation of the situation and the observations contained in the progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) (S/2006/24).”
2006-01-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5351 (2006) · source
“De Gucht to elaborate a little further on the objectives of the Belgian chairmanship regarding the OSCE's activities aimed at making progress in the settlement of frozen conflicts and on the future of the OSCE mission in Kosovo in the context of the ongoing future status talks.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“We expect the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, which is a component of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, will remain focused on the issues of democratization, respect for human and minority rights, freedom of the media, elections, the training of law enforcement authorities and the functioning of democratic institutions, to which Mr. De Gucht referred in his statement. The OSCE should continue to play its important role in the area of implementing standards for a democratic and tolerant society in Kosovo. In our opinion, that will be a major factor influencing the whole process of defining the future status of Kosovo. In this connection, I would like to ask Mr.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“In our opinion, it could also be better utilized and reflected in the work of United Nations agencies and institutions, including the future work of the newly established Peacebuilding Commission. Last but not least, we particularly appreciate the special attention paid by the Chairman-in-Office to the issue of so-called frozen conflicts in Moldova, Nagorny Karabakh and Georgia, as well as to developments in Central Asia and to post-conflict stabilization in the western Balkans, including the issue of the future status of Kosovo. That is another important area for cooperation and interaction between the United Nations and the OSCE. We share the appreciation expressed for the work that the OSCE has done and is still doing in Kosovo.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“So as not to waste scarce resources, that cooperation should be based on the principles of complementarity of action, the pooling of resources and the proper division of labour. We think that it is important for both organizations to strengthen their dialogue and interaction. Better communication should be achieved through liaison officers and regular consultations on matters of common interest at all appropriate levels, including that of the Chairman-in-Office. Secondly, throughout the years of its existence, the OSCE has accumulated enormous potential and expertise in the area of institution-building, confidence-building, election monitoring, and the protection of human and minority rights. We believe that its valuable post-conflict and transformation know-how may be truly inspiring for other regional organizations.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“The priorities of the Belgian OSCE programme - such as the advancement of the rule of law, the fight against terrorism, defining a global and coherent approach to combating organized crime, new ways to strengthen mechanisms of non-proliferation and disarmament, and so on - coincide with the priorities of the United Nations and its Security Council for building a more stable and secure world. The commonality of goals and challenges makes cooperation between those two organizations even more relevant and urgent. In that connection, it is important to note that the world summit has given new backing to efforts to strengthen cooperation and interaction between the United Nations and regional organizations.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“First, the OSCE has played an important role in turning Europe into an area of peace and stability, and we believe that it is still needed in order to consolidate the achievements of the 30 years since the Helsinki Final Act was adopted. We agree that there is a need for the institutional reform of the OSCE in order to strengthen its capability to face new challenges and threats to security. There is a certain similarity between the United Nations and OSCE, and not only in that area.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht for his insightful and informative statement. On behalf of my delegation, I would like to wish Belgium a very successful term as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). We welcome the priorities of the Belgian OSCE programme, as defined by the Chairman-in-Office, and its focus on rebalancing the OSCE's three dimensions by strengthening the economic dimension without weakening the human and politico-military dimensions. That approach fully conforms with the conclusions of the world summit about the mutually reinforcing and interlinked pillars of the United Nations system and foundations for collective security. In reaction to Foreign Minister De Gucht's statement, I would like to stress three points.”
2006-01-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5346 (2006) · source
“That is another example of the kinds of atrocities committed against civilians. We are convinced that attacks on basic infrastructure necessary for survival, such as sources of drinking water and crops, should also be considered as direct attacks against civilians, and should therefore be addressed by international criminal and humanitarian law. The international community should not only condemn attacks that target the very livelihoods of people, but also prosecute those who perpetrate such inhuman acts. I wish to assure you, Mr. President, that Slovakia, as an incoming non-permanent member of the Security Council, considers the issue of the protection of civilians as one of its priorities, and will devote increased attention to that question during its tenure.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“It must ensure an immediate, decisive and rapid reaction to emerging situations of massive attacks on civilians and their livelihoods. Political questions or selfish national interests should not be obstacles to the international community's taking action through the Security Council, including through the application of the principle of the responsibility to protect, especially in situations when governmental institutions are unable or unwilling to implement feasible measures for the protection of civilians. Of course, the international community must be equipped with credible and effective legal and coercive instruments. Only a few days ago, on 7 December, in the region of western Darfur, armed militia forces attacked the town of Kongo Harasa and destroyed all water wells built by humanitarian workers.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“In that regard, we welcome the activities of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs undertaken as part of its advocacy and dissemination work with regard to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. That work has been organized with the support of the Security Council and interested Member States and has included a series of regional workshops on the protection of civilians, in an effort to broaden the audience for protection policies and mainstream them into the decision-making processes of Member States. On the other hand, as the organ with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has a special role to play in addressing the issue and in strengthening the response capabilities of the international community.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“The implementation of the principle of the responsibility to protect, which was outlined during the World Summit this past September, into the international legal system is Without doubt a major step in that direction. Further development and enactment of the principle of the responsibility to protect should also be continued through a new Security Council resolution on the protection of civilians. In the World Summit Outcome, world leaders agreed that, as appropriate, the international community should encourage and help States to exercise their responsibilities and support the efforts of the United Nations to establish an early warning capability. Those commitments must be reflected in practical measures.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We cannot be neutral or indifferent when other human beings are suffering. Slovakia is therefore deeply concerned about the continued blatant disrespect for international humanitarian law on the part of armed groups and State and non-State actors in armed conflicts against civilians. We welcome the continuing endeavour by the Security Council and the entire international community to strengthen the protection of civilians, especially the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children. The international community must continue to adopt and implement feasible measures to put an end to such grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The establishment of a culture of protection, which Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for a few years ago, should become a reality.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this important debate. We fully align ourselves with the statement made by the representative of the United Kingdom on behalf of the European Union, in which he stressed the need to address the wider scope of issues associated with the protection of civilians in armed conflict and identified many existing gaps in international humanitarian law in that area. Even years after Srebrenica and Rwanda, we are still witnessing attacks motivated by ethnic or religious hatred or political confrontation, sexual violence, the killing of civilians and other grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in conflict regions such as Darfur, northern Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others.”
2005-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5319Resumption1 (2005) · source
“In that connection, we think it would be worthwhile to consider, for instance, the organization of a United Nations conference on peacebuilding, transformation and stabilization to discuss best practices in the area of building peace and stability. I wish to assure the Council of my Government's keen support for all the peacebuilding efforts and endeavours of the United Nations. We are strongly committed to achieving the best possible results in all their aspects.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“As we have done on previous occasions, we wish to express our strong support for the creation of a Peacebuilding Commission and for its four main purposes as proposed by the Secretary-General. We see that step as a prerequisite for abolishing the existing institutional gap. The urgent need to maintain peace and security in post- conflict situations and achieve long-term sustainable social and economic development must be addressed appropriately. In conclusion, let me thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this open debate and for presenting us with an excellent discussion paper (S/2005/316, annex). We would welcome it if this kind of valuable discussion were to continue and if it were to be followed up by further concrete, practical steps.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Substantial and lasting progress in the overall peace and security situation of any conflict can hardly be achieved without tangible improvement of the economic and social situation of ordinary people and without their feeling the benefits of the rule of law. By adopting effective measures in those areas, Slovakia has gradually moved from being a recipient of development assistance in the early 1990s into the present situation of being an emerging donor country now providing official development assistance to 14 partner countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. We have been supporting those countries' institutional capacities, infrastructure and living conditions and sharing our own experience from the ongoing transformation of our economic and social system. That is undoubtedly an indispensable part of the entire concept of peacebuilding.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We are hopeful that such personnel will be able to live up to the very positive reputation, earned in recent years, especially by our military engineers, deminers and paramedics. We are currently closely looking at ways and means to widen or enhance our offer of expert and training capacities - governmental as well as non- governmental - in fields such as accountable and transparent disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes, reform of public administration, free elections, good governance, building of democratic institutions, economic and social reform, and so forth. We would welcome the creation of a United Nations standing list of such institutional and personnel capacities to be used whenever and wherever there is a need. Slovakia is ready to contribute appropriately to such a list.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Also, we have recently invested a great deal of financial resources and energy in enabling our armed and security forces to better address areas such as organized crime, the vulnerability of the information and communication systems and the role of non-State actors in possible acts of terrorism and in the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We regard the concept of the armed forces being an integral part of democratic institutions and processes and falling under proper civilian and parliamentary control as a significant element of sustainable peacebuilding efforts. We are also making every effort to be able to contribute further civilian and police capacities.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Stability is an important prerequisite for the building of a democratic society. Tomorrow the Security Council will hold an open debate on the situation in Kosovo. We believe that many of those factors need to be taken into account in the peaceful resolution of Kosovo's future status, too. Slovakia stands ready to continue playing an active and instructive role in this important process in whatever way necessary. As an added value, my country could now, among other things, offer its experts and their recent professional experience gained from the successful reform of our armed and security forces and the rapid re-establishment of the fundamental principles of the rule of law.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We have learned this lesson ourselves; that is why we have been advising our friends, especially those from the western Balkans, that areas such as the intensification of political dialogue in the broadest sense of the word, the development of economic cooperation, exchanges of students and teachers and cultural cooperation are the motive forces for further democratic change in individual countries. Still speaking of the western Balkans, we see the greatest dangers to the building of a democratic society in the region, including that of slipping back into conflict, above all in the underdeveloped state of civil society, the lack of development of the rule of law and the difficult economic situation. The latter provides fertile ground for corruption, extremism and organized crime.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Throughout the 19905 and in the first years of this century, especially during the processes of the accession of its four members into the European and transatlantic structures, and to the present day, the Visegrad Four has been tremendously helpful in enhancing political dialogue and the atmosphere of mutual trust, cooperation and good-neighbourly relations. That has been the case in spite of the Visegrad Four being only an informal formation, with no institutional framework necessary. As our experience shows, the development of this kind of regional cooperation can be an important factor in peacebuilding and in strengthening regional stability.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We have had wide experience in providing good offices to the countries of the western Balkans. Just this past weekend, Bratislava hosted another international conference on development in the western Balkans. In his speech at the conference, His Excellency Mr. Eduard Kukan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic and former Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Balkans, said, "The future of the western Balkans region lies, above all else, in deepening collaboration and building trust". In that respect, we think it appropriate to point out another positive role played by a regional formation - the Visegrad Four, comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“We argue for the further widening and strengthening of United Nations cooperation with regional organizations such as the European Union, NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe in the area of building stability and peace. Their ample expertise, experience and proven and established best practices could be of great benefit wherever necessary. Also, I would like to particularly emphasize the role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in post-conflict peacebuilding. As our own experience has well proven, they are the ones who can ensure greater ownership and capacity-building at the local level, and who can make a great contribution to the implementation of strategies and to the proper delivery of tasks. In that regard, Slovakia has in recent years been particularly active in the western Balkans.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Not a great deal of time has passed since Europe, especially its eastern part, underwent major political changes connected, at least in some cases, with difficult security challenges. Although not all the problematic issues have yet been entirely overcome, the final outcomes, luckily, have been mostly positive. That has been so. Thanks in large part to the positive role played by regional formations and regional organizations. In addition to the European Union and NATO, I have in mind the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its active role in a wide range of areas, such as free elections, the building of democratic institutions, the reform of public administration, et cetera.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source
“Slovakia fully associates itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union. My delegation wishes to add several observations and comments in its national capacity. My country has been playing an active role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in various parts of the world for many years, and has thus assumed its share of responsibility for the strengthening and protection of values and principles that the United Nations stands for. Ample experience in peacekeeping has provided us with a whole new dimension of understanding of the depth and complexity of the challenges and threats to global peace and security. Slovakia stands ready to share all the expertise and experience it has gained with its partners, States Members of the United Nations.”
2005-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5187Resumption1 (2005) · source