YouSaid · the spoken record

Delattre

lines on the record: 3,505
first: 2014-09-08
most recent: 2019-06-28
sittings or episodes: 443
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

“A number of armed groups have expressed their willingness to lay down their arms, and several hundred combatants have already done so since January. This new development will be hopeful if we work collectively to do what must be done to ensure that those combatants can be disarmed and properly reintegrated into civilian life and their communities. MONUSCO has an important role to play in all those aspects, and I want to once again commend the exemplary commitment of Ms. Zerrougui and her entire staff and team. The Council has mandated MONUSCO to protect civilians and support the Government in its fight against armed groups.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“The next steps in the institutional life of the country must happen very soon and will also be an opportunity to demonstrate the new directions that the country is taking, including with the legislative and provincial elections in the areas where people were unable to vote in December, the formation of the new Government and the organization early next year of the first local elections in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As Ms. Modi emphasized, women's participation in that process can and must still be improved. President Tshisekedi has also pledged to work to end the conflicts afflicting the country, particularly in the east, and the intercommunal clashes that have recently affected various regions, with a view to helping the Democratic Republic of the Congo's various communities coexist peacefully.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“Since taking office, President Tshilombo Tshisekedi has undertaken a number of important steps aimed at achieving peace and national reconciliation, opening the political space and ensuring respect for the law and for human rights in particular. The release at the end of last week of 700 prisoners imprisoned for political reasons is the latest example of that. France welcomes those initial important decisions and encourages the new authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue to fulfil the commitments made by the President.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“At a time when the Security Council is preparing to renew the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), it is important for us to have a clear assessment of the situation in the country, MONUSCO's implementation of its mandate and the issues facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the coming months. In January the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced a historic event, the first peaceful change of a Head of State since the country gained independence. The Security Council, which has followed the electoral process very closely, congratulated the Congolese people on their conduct and sense of civic duty on the day of the election.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I would like to begin by joining previous speakers in expressing France's condolences to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the wake of the horrific crash that occurred in the Kasai region, and to Indonesia following the natural disasters that have once again plunged the country into mourning. I want to warmly thank Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Ms. Anny Modi for their very informative interventions.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“I thank Ms. Modi for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2019/159, which contains a letter dated 15 February 2019 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, and document S/2019/218, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I now give the floor to Ms. Zerrougui.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“In accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ms. Anny Tenga Modi, Executive Director of Afia Mama. Ms. Modi is joining today's meeting via video- teleconference from Kinshasa. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda.”
2019-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8486 (2019) · source
“I thank most sincerely the High Representative, Ms. Mogherini, for being here with us this morning, for her further statement just delivered and for the clarifications she provided. We wish her the greatest happiness and success. The meeting rose at 12.45 pm.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I again give the floor to High Representative Ms. Federica Mogherini to respond to comments and questions raised.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I am thinking in particular of mediation, early warning systems, security sector reform and the close coordination of political messages. The European Union and the United Nations share the same commitment to multilateralism not only as an overall vision but also in their daily practices. Apart from its role as a regional organization, that is one ofthe elements or pillars of the current international order. On the basis ofthat common vision of conflict management, we, as members ofthe Security Council, have, I believe, the duty to make the most of that close relationship and Europe's commitment to strong multilateralism. In conclusion, in view of the High Representative's experience in mediation, I would like her opinion on how the Security Council can effectively support mediation processes in which the European Union is engaged.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I am thinking in particular of support for the scaling up and sustainable and predictable funding of African peace operations, which, in our view, are essential given the opportunity for such African peace operations to improve the effectiveness of peacekeeping. We would also mention the G5 Sahel Joint Force, in which the United Nations and the European Union play a key role as part of the technical agreement on MINUSMA operational and logistical support to the Joint Force. That trilateral cooperation is also evident in the area of migration. Since its establishment at the EU-African Union (AU) summit in Abidjan in November 2017, the EU-AU-United Nations task force has enabled more than 37,000 migrants stranded in Libya to return to their countries of origin. The conflict-prevention tools available to us also need to be strengthened.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“Progress must be made in particular on the women and peace and security agenda, which is one of our main priorities, and more generally on all issues related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as international humanitarian law. As underlined in the EU strategic approach to the women, peace and security agenda, that is not a priority among others but an approach that should permeate all initiatives common to our two organizations, as my German colleague clearly said earlier. We also fully support the development of trilateral cooperation among the European Union, the United Nations and the African Union, as mentioned by the High Representative at the beginning of the meeting. That trilateral cooperation is expected to play a fundamental role, particularly in peacekeeping.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“It is even one of the European Union's strengths or assets. For example, in Colombia, the EU supports the reintegration of ex-combatants alongside the United Nations verification mission. In many countries, the European Union and its member States are among the main international donors. That trend is expected to continue to increase, since the EU adopted a record budget ofâ‚¬l.6 billion for humanitarian aid in 2019. The exceptional nature of that partnership and the successes seen over the past 20 years should collectively encourage us to continue with the progress made on the common priorities of the two organizations in the context of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. That is my second point.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“Mogherini mentioned them - the European Union training missions in Mali and the Central African Republic, which are complementary to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. Through its African Peace Facility, the European Union also participates in the funding of African peace and security operations, in particular, as was said, the African Union Mission in Somalia and the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel). In the area of peacebuilding, the European Union consistently supports United Nations efforts through projects that are where development and security issues intersect, in full alignment with the Secretary- General's priorities.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“On the ground in Mali, Libya, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Kosovo and the Middle East, European civilian and military missions are deployed under the Common Security and Defence Policy, alongside peacekeeping operations or special political missions. Some of these European missions now play a central role in responding to threats to peace, such as Operation Atalante, which combats piracy off the coast of Somalia and provides protection for World Food Programme ships. Those missions are also essential in supporting security sector reform. I am thinking of in particular - Ms.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“The European Union also works in support of United Nations mediation. As the High Representative again recalled, in the case of Syria the European Union has pledged not to finance reconstruction until a credible political solution, under United Nations auspices and on the basis of all provisions of resolution 2254 (2015), is in place. In the field of peacekeeping operations, the States members of the Union contribute at all levels. In terms of budget, their combined contribution amounts to 32 per cent of the peacekeeping budget. The scale of that contribution, which is by far the largest, deserves to be better understood and better appreciated, in particular at a time when some are reluctant to honour their due commitments.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“Indeed, in accordance with the priorities identified in the EU-United Nations Strategic Partnership on Peace Operations and Crisis Management for the years 2019 and 2020, the European Union and the United Nations are working hand in hand for conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. As regards conflict prevention, the European Union is leading the way. The EU recently established an international contact group on Venezuela with the aim of finding a political and peaceful solution to the crisis there. In Europe, the High Representative is personally engaged, with our full support, in facilitating the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia with a view to reaching a comprehensive and definitive agreement on the normalization of relations between those two States. I could, of course, cite many other examples.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“No more military aggression against a sovereign country; no more displacement and decimation of entire peoples; no more civilian populations targeted by bullets and bombs. The European Union and the United Nations fundamentally share the same DNA and are today linked by a strategic partnership at its full strength. In that connection, I would like to emphasize two points. The first begins with the observation that the European Union and the United Nations are no longer limited to cooperation on a case-by-case basis; they are complementary across the entire spectrum of peace operations.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of France. At the outset, I warmly and once again thank the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Federica Mogherini, for her important briefing, which highlighted the issues surrounding the ever-closer cooperation between the Security Council and the European Union (EU) in New York and on the ground. The European commitment to multilateralism is the fruit of a history in which the European Union and the United Nations both have their roots and their raison d'etre. As the High Representative said most eloquently, both organizations responded to the call of a generation that experienced the two world conflicts - a call that still resonates every day in this Chamber: never again.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I thank High Representative Mogherini for her important briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite Her Excellency Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative ofthe European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. Mogherini, whom I warmly welcome to our meeting today.”
2019-03-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8482 (2019) · source
“I thank Mr. Lajeak for his additional remarks and his personal commitment and that of his organization to reinforcing the partnership between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations. The meeting rose at11.55 am.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“We must now let that example inspire us as a renewed and revitalized form of multilateralism seems to us more necessary than ever to meet today's great challenges. Let us never forget that the two secret weapons of such multilateralism are respect and dialogue. The two organizations foster a shared approach that combines security, development and human rights. It is our duty to continue to support the work of the OSCE to strengthen security at the regional level, in particular in all crises in which that organization is called upon to act. France's commitment in that direction is firm. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I now give the floor to Mr. Lajcak to respond to the comments and questions raised.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“The vision of peace and security in Europe, as envisaged at the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, rests on that pillar. France reiterates its commitment to the OSCE as a platform for dialogue with regard to all security issues affecting the European continent and its multidimensional approach to security. In conclusion, I will recall, on the one hand, the priority that must be given to cooperation between the United Nations and regional agencies in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and, on the other, the large overlap between the work of the OSCE and that of the United Nations. At a time when divisions at the international level were seemingly insurmountable, the Helsinki Final Act, the cornerstone of the OSCE, opened a new chapter in the history of multilateralism.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“Secondly, with regard to the conflict in Ukraine, we call on all actors in the protracted conflicts and all Member States to support the OSCE's mediation efforts. The OSCE is contributing to the peaceful and political resolution of the protracted conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, but in that regard, too, only the political will of the parties can bring negotiations to a successful conclusion, leading to the settlement of those crises. France will continue to be fully involved in the mediation of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh in its capacity as co-Chair of the Minsk Group, together with the United States and Russia. The commitments undertaken by participating States and the dialogue facilitation activities led by the OSCE demand respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms by all States.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“The parties must assume their responsibilities and meet the expectations of the civilian populations trapped in the conflict. That more constructive attitude should be observed in both the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy format. We cannot talk about the Ukrainian crisis without going back to the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia five years ago. That violation of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders is the cause of growing tensions in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. In that regard, we reiterate our call for the unconditional release of the Ukrainian sailors who have been detained since the serious naval incident last November, as well as for the return of the seized boats.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“We commend the courage of the women and men who are engaged on the ground in that regard and condemn in the strongest terms all actions that undermine their security or seek to obstruct their mission and destroy their equipment, as observed in recent months, especially in the separatist zone. The OSCE also facilitates dialogue between the parties within the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group. It can count on the political support of the Normandy format, as my Germany colleague mentioned. However, we must note that those discussions are now at an impasse. More than ever, they require a re-engagement of all parties, in particular Russia and the separatist groups that it supports. That re-engagement can be demonstrated only by through strong political resolve to support those talks, which is both urgent and essential.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“First, with respect to the decisive role of the OSCE in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, the crisis is clearly one of the most serious and deadly violations of the founding principles of the OSCE, which were agreed in Helsinki more than 40 years ago. From the very beginning of the crisis, the OSCE has risen to the challenge. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine therefore contributes on a daily basis to reducing tensions in the east of the country, on the line of contact and throughout the conflict zone, and has made progress towards the implementation of the Minsk agreements by the parties.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I would like to start by warmly thanking Mr. Miroslav Lajcak for his insightful briefing on the priorities of the Slovak chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). We are delighted to have him here with us today. Slovakia can count on France's full support in the implementation of its programme of work, in which the issues of the effectiveness of multilateralism and the protection of civilian populations in conflict zones - two themes that are at the heart of the joint presidencies of France and Germany - are given priority. Two points deserve particular attention in the context of the Security Council's cooperation with the OSCE. I will be brief.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“Miroslav Lajcak, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Before giving the floor to Mr. Lajeak, I would like to express my pleasure at welcoming him here today. As Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and former President of the General Assembly, he is a natural bridge between the two organizations. I now give the floor to Mr. Lajcak.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba, Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea, for his service as President of the Council for the month of February. I am sure I speak for all members ofthe Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Ndong Mba and his team for the great diplomatic skill and effectiveness with which they conducted the Council's business last month, including during at times difficult conditions. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. Briefing by the Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe The President (spoke in French): In accordance with rule 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite His Excellency Mr.”
2019-03-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8479 (2019) · source
“The dialogue established between the United Nations and the Burmese authorities, particularly since the arrival of Special Envoy eight months ago, must now be translated into a concrete improvement in the situation of the affected populations. In that regard, France reiterates its full support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General in the pursuit of her mandate. In conclusion, I would like to express to you, Mr. President, and your team, our most heartfelt thanks and congratulations on your excellent presidency throughout the month of February.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“Despite the establishment of a committee to implement those recommendations, there has thus far been no tangible improvement in the situation of the most vulnerable communities. The Burmese authorities must demonstrate, through concrete measures, their willingness to restore trust between communities and provide a lasting solution to the crisis. Those measures should include effective access to public, health-care and education services for all persons belonging to the Rohingya community and freedom of movement for all communities. For all those reasons, and echoing the remarks of previous speakers, particularly my British colleague and friend, France believes that the Security Council must remain fully mobilized to ensure close monitoring of the implementation of its presidential statement of November 2017 (S/PRST/2017/22).”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“Serious violations against civilians, including women and children, cannot go unpunished. In that regard, we hope that the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, will soon be able to report back to the Security Council on her recent visit to Burma. It is also essential that the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict be able to adopt conclusions on Burma and the other situations on the Security Council's agenda, and that the Council's recommendations be followed up with concrete action to benefit children and the fight against impunity. Finally, the third priority concerns the recommendations of the Annan Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, in particular those on citizenship and equal rights.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“Those essential conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya refugees have thus far not been met. We commend the exceptional generosity of the authorities and the people of Bangladesh, as well as the outstanding work done by United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations. The second priority continues to be the fight against impunity. We still have no guarantee that the commission of inquiry set up last summer is truly able to carry out independent, credible and impartial investigations. That is what we are seeking. The conclusions ofthe fact-finding mission, presented to the Council in October (see S/PV.8381) are unambiguous. We must act accordingly by cooperating fully with the International Criminal Court and the investigation mechanism created by the Human Rights Council.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“The first priority is humanitarian support for the Rohingyas and the internally displaced persons still in Arakan and for refugees in camps in Bangladesh. The Burmese authorities must immediately establish safe, full and unhindered humanitarian access to Rakhine state for the United Nations and all humanitarian actors. While the renewed tensions observed in early January following the attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army certainly illustrates the complexity of the situation, it remains essential to work on ways to establish permanent humanitarian access in order to assist the people still in Rakhine state. Rohingya internally displaced persons must be allowed total freedom of movement and full access, without discrimination, to basic services.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“Mr. Delattre (France) (spoke in French): Allow me, first of all, to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ms. Christine Schraner Burgener, for her enlightening briefing to the Security Council, as well as for her commitment and untiring work to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Rakhine state. I would also like to welcome the presence among us of the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh. France remains very concerned about the situation of the Rohingya, whether they are still in Rakhine state or living as refugees in camps in Bangladesh. Despite some announcements, which are first steps, the actions of the Myanmar authorities on the ground remain insufficient. France hopes for more progress, particularly in three priority areas.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8477 (2019) · source
“While Venezuela is now on the verge of collapse, our responsibility is neither to supplant the Venezuelan people nor to make decisions for them. On the contrary, it is to give them a voice and allow them to express themselves freely in order for them to take ownership of their destiny. Therein lies the compass that guides France's actions.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“The Russian draft resolution does not include a single word on those tens of millions of people. Not once does the word "humanitarian" appear in the draft resolution. The Venezuelan population's access to neutral, transparent and independent international aid is an absolute necessity. Today's impasse must not and cannot lead us to resign ourselves to the situation. France will pursue its efforts, in particular through the International Contact Group. It is in that spirit that I wish to reiterate our call for a peaceful and negotiated end to the crisis, which entails the organization of free, credible and transparent presidential elections as soon as possible, as well as free access to humanitarian aid.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“Along with the majority of the Council's member States, France believes that it is the responsibility of the Security Council to strongly condemn the blockage of humanitarian aid, as well as the use of violence against women and men whose only crime is a desire to provide help and assistance to their fellow citizens. The use of the veto today serves to protect a regime that has decided to starve its people. Furthermore, the text submitted by Russia (S/20l9/l90) clearly does not provide a solution to the current crisis. It maintains the illusion that Venezuela is in a peaceful situation and raises the spectre of foreign invasion at a time when 3.5 million migrants and refugees have fled the country and the majority of the population has been plunged into total poverty.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“The draft resolution of which we voted in favour reflects not only the tragic reality of Venezuela today, but also our commitment to a peaceful and political resolution of the crisis. As many States, including France, pointed out last Tuesday (see S/PV.8472), the holding of free, credible and transparent presidential elections should be the priority objective for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy. It is a matter of delivering a political solution to a political crisis. That is the raison d'etre of the International Contact Group launched by the European Union and Uruguay, of which France is a member. The stance of the countries that blocked the draft resolution after having refused to participate in the negotiations serves to protect Nicolas Maduro's regime.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“Mr. Delattre (France) (spoke in French): We regret the two vetoes against the American draft resolution (S/2019/186) - a draft resolution that could have contributed to a political and peaceful resolution of the crisis in Venezuela and relieved the suffering of the Venezuelan people at a time when they are facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history. Contrary to what we have heard here in the Chamber, the American text, which took into account many of our requests, was neither a legal basis for the use of force nor an attempt to undermine the sovereignty of Venezuela. As everyone knows, France - along with the whole of the European Union - has constantly reiterated its repudiation of the use of force to resolve the Venezuelan crisis, to echo what the State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany has just said.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8476 (2019) · source
“We all see clearly that those conditions and guarantees are not in place today, so we should understand that without irreversible and credible progress towards a political solution, it will not be possible to encourage refugees' return, pave the way for reconstruction, contemplate any normalization of our relations with the regime or lift the sanctions on it. France and the European Union have affirmed that clear and unambiguous position several times. Lastly, based on that, France will continue to work tirelessly with its partners to arrive at a credible political solution in support of the Special Envoy's mission. On behalf of France, I want to once again appeal to every member of the Council to regroup on that basis, to stop running on automatic pilot and to move on from posturing to action.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“It is also our responsibility to respond to Syrian victims' need for justice, without which peace will be impossible. That is the aim of our support to the United Nations investigative mechanisms and to efforts to see justice done, including in a national capacity, as I brought up once again at the beginning ofthe week (see S/PV.8471). The return of refugees will be essential in the long run, but the key to return is in Damascus, not New York, Brussels or anywhere else. It is up to the regime to establish the conditions that will enable refugees to return in complete safety and with all the guarantees necessary to ensuring respect for their freedoms and the restitution of their property.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“That would require reaching a credible and balanced agreement on both the composition of the third list for the committee and on its rules of procedure so that it can start its work quickly, under the auspices of the United Nations and within the framework of resolution 2254 (2015). We lost valuable time last year and it is clear that the Syrian regime is responsible for failing to establish the committee, contrary to the commitments made by the Astana group and at the Istanbul Summit. This will be my last point, and I will make it short. Today we are at a crossroads, and the Council must therefore support the efforts of the Special Envoy. Only an inclusive political solution can provide a lasting response to the Syrian tragedy, the expectations for reconciliation and the threat of terrorism.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“That implies working in parallel with efforts on the constitution to establish credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance, preparing for free and fair elections under the supervision of the United Nations and developing confidence-building measures that can create the safe and neutral environment outlined in the Geneva communique (S/2012/522, annex), including by addressing the issue of detainees and missing persons, property rights and forced conscription. The United Nations alone, through the work of the Special Envoy, will be able to make genuine progress on those converging priorities. In that regard, we welcome the Special Envoy's efforts to establish a constitutional package as an entry point to the process.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“France's resolve in that regard remains unchanged and uncompromising. It is more necessary than ever to pave the way for a credible political transition under the auspices of the United Nations. That is our second priority and it is inextricably linked to the first. The regime's military victory, which was achieved thanks to the support of its two allies and at the cost of considerable human and material destruction, is in no way a prelude to peace and reconciliation in Syria. Such an outcome will be possible only ifthe regime agrees to sit at the table with the opposition and negotiate in good faith. To that end, France fully supports the Special Envoy's efforts to establish a comprehensive road map based on all elements of resolution 2254 (2015), which is now more than ever our common compass.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“That is why it is now essential to do all in our power to preserve the ceasefire. We call in particular on Russia and Turkey to exercise responsibility as they continue their efforts. Lastly, the Council must unite to ensure respect for international law and international humanitarian law. Today, I call on members with influence on the parties to the conflict to exert pressure in that regard. First and foremost, that means ensuring the protection of civilian and humanitarian and medical workers, as well as free and unhindered humanitarian access. Obstacles to humanitarian access and the use of torture, forced conscription and arbitrary detention in areas reclaimed by the Syrian regime are clearly unacceptable. It is also imperative to discourage any use of chemical weapons in Syria and to react firmly to any new cases of such use.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source
“Pursuing the fight against terrorism in the north-east requires the protection of our operational partners on the ground in the fight against Da'esh. We all know that the coalition's success against Da'esh would not have been possible without the Syrian Democratic Forces. With regard to the situation in Idlib, I reiterate France's deep concern about the strengthening of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations. Its neutralization is our common objective but we must spare civilians and bear in mind the possible catastrophic humanitarian, migration and security consequences of an offensive. France is concerned about the increase in the number of ceasefire violations by the Syrian regime, including air strikes.”
2019-02-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8475 (2019) · source