YouSaid · the spoken record

Gasso Matoses

lines on the record: 99
first: 2014-11-19
most recent: 2016-11-17
sittings or episodes: 14
sources: un-security-council

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“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): My delegation expresses its appreciation for the presence of Minister Steinmeier in his capacity as Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to provide us with Germany's priorities during its chairmanship. We trust in the German leadership, given the country's political weight, its knowledge of the organization and its commitment to the search for solutions to conflicts. Spain extends its full cooperation and support to the German chairmanship. Renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust and restoring security is not only amotto of the Germany chairmanship, it is also an objective that we share and support.”
2016-02-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7635 (2016) · source
“Combating impunity must remain a priority for the Council, and the message must be clear: those responsible must not go unpunished, and the rule of law must, and can, prevail in the face of barbarity.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“As Judge Meron has reminded us, today in Syria, Iraq, Libya, the Sudan and the Central African Republic - and in many other places as well - we are once again witnessing the terrible consequences of contempt for the most basic elements of international humanitarian law and international human rights norms. The achievements on the part of the international criminal Tribunals, and the current work of other instruments - I call particular attention to the International Criminal Court - comprise a source of hope, because they demonstrate that, through political will and the necessary means, justice is also possible for the victims of those conflicts.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“We encourage the Mechanism, whose initial period of activity is currently under review by the Council, to continue to apply the lessons learned and good practices developed by both Tribunals. I will conclude with some general thoughts. The establishment of the Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Tribunal for Rwanda constituted a milestone in international criminal law. Their contribution to the development of international criminal law has been invaluable. That legacy is the best possible tribute to the Victims and the survivors. It is critical, however, that their work be completed by national jurisdictions, whose genuine commitment to accountability is indispensable in establishing the rule of law and bringing about true reconciliation.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“At the same time, we also urge States where those fugitives might be found to cooperate with the Tribunal by arresting them and immediately handing them over to it. With respect to the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, we believe that the transition phase, which in the case of the Tribunal for Rwanda is nearly complete and in the case of the Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is well under way, has been remarkably efficient to date. That has made possible a smooth and uninterrupted transition in the conduct of the work of both Tribunals, including in cases regarding extremely sensitive issues such as the protection of witnesses and victims. It was not an easy task. We therefore commend those leading the processes of all three institutions.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“It has been especially important with respect to various issues, including its interpretation of acts of sexual violence as elements of the crime of genocide, as explained by Judge Vagn Joensen, as well as in cases ofincitement to genocide through the media. The Tribunal's contribution to peace in the Great Lakes region cannot be denied, as Spain fully acknowledges. We acknowledge, and indeed welcome, the information shared with the Council by Mr. Jallow regarding the detention of one of the remaining fugitives indicted by the Tribunal. We urge the authorities of Rwanda and those leading the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals to spare no effort in finding the remaining eight fugitives and bringing them before the Tribunal or the Mechanism itself or Rwanda's judicial authorities.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“With regard to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Spain is of the view that, as has been said, today's debate is rather unusual. It has special significance because it is the last debate in which those heading the Tribunal will participate. This is therefore a moment to pay tribute to the men and women who, throughout the past 21 years, have contributed to the work of the Tribunal. The Tribunal will be closing its doors, but its legacy will remain as a testimony, not only to the horror of the genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda, but also to the value ofjustice. It is important to recognize the impact on international law of the Tribunal's groundbreaking jurisprudence in the area of genocide.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“Generally speaking, we welcome the fact that the level of cooperation on the part of the authorities of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Prosecutor's Office has been positive. Nonetheless, certain aspects concern us, specifically the communication received by the Council on Serbia's failure to carry out various arrest warrants and surrender orders issued by the Tribunal. We therefore call upon the Government of Serbia to duly abide by the requirements of the Tribunal. We reiterate that cooperation with the Tribunal is an unavoidable duty. We encourage the authorities of those three countries to continue to move forward on their regional cooperation and to pursue joint efforts to overcome any obstacles that might hamper such cooperation.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“Nonetheless, we call upon the Tribunal to make every possible effort to meet the deadlines - of course, within the bounds of respecting due process and fair-trial guarantees. To achieve that goal, Spain fully supports extending the mandate of the judges as requested by the Tribunal. We also reiterate our concern about the pace, effectiveness and small number of proceedings undertaken by national authorities, particularly in cases involving defendants of senior or mid-level rank. We therefore call for strengthened efforts to achieve genuine post-conflict national justice, which is essential in strengthening the rule of law. We agree with the Prosecutor that more can, and should, do more. We listened very closely and carefully to Prosecutor Brammertz's comments and extensive explanations.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I too would like to thank the Judges and Prosecutors representing the two International Tribunals and the Residual Mechanism. I begin by paying tribute to the outstanding work done over the past two years in the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals under the helm of Ambassador Cristian Barros Melet and his team. Iwould like to share some initial thoughts pertaining to the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. We welcome the comments of Judge Agius with regard to the Tribunal's commitment to concluding its work in December 2017. It is clear that the gradual loss of experienced staff at the Tribunal and the delicate health of some of the accused pose a challenge to concluding ongoing proceedings.”
2015-12-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7574 (2015) · source
“However, we are concerned about the fact that this claim contrasts with citations of a number of situations that make it clear that this stability is still fragile. In that context, we take a very positive view of the significant role that UNMIK still has to play, particularly through the concrete steps it has taken to promote peaceful coexistence and reconciliation in Kosovo. Spain therefore urges all the political actors involved to continue to collaborate and cooperate with UNMIK in that role. I would like to conclude by reiterating that Spain will continue its constructive support without prejudice to its position of principle, and we hope that Kosovo's regional and international stakeholders will do so too.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“However, it is essential that we continue to make further and more robust headway in implementing the agreements that have now been reached. In that regard, the Security Council has made specific and repeated calls for the effective establishment and launch of an association of Serb municipalities. That is critical, and Spain once again reiterates its call for that to be done. Fulfilling that commitment is the cornerstone for assessing the seriousness and political will ofthe various stakeholders and the progress that has been made, all of which has an unquestionable reflection on the current security and stability situation in Kosovo. We welcome the information in the Secretary-General's most recent report on the fact that the situation is generally stable across the board.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“In that regard, we noted with concern the details in the report at the time (S/2015/303) about the involvement of people with public responsibilities and representatives ofpolitical parties in ways that at the least supported the actions of others in those violent events. The authorities and political parties in Pristina must demonstrate by their actions that they have the political will to support peaceful coexistence between communities and an ongoing commitment to reconciliation and stability in the region. We have noted with satisfaction the continuing dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina facilitated by the High Representative of the European Union, and the progress that has been made in recent months.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“During the previous debate on this subject, in May (see S/PV.7448), Spain expressed its support for a specialist court and called for its establishment as soon as possible. We would therefore like to congratulate those involved on passing the necessary legal amendments so that the court can be set up and undertake its functions. Now that that is in place, it is vital that the Kosovo authorities demonstrate that their commitment to the principles of accountability, the rule of law, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence for every community in Kosovo is a reality. In that previous debate my delegation also expressed our concern about the violent events we had witnessed that same month, just before our meeting, and the possible negative effects they might have in Kosovo.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank Mr. Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his briefing on the latest quarterly report of the Secretary-General (S/2015/579) on the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), as well as to join my colleagues in taking this opportunity to express our gratitude to him for all his efforts over the past few years as Head of UNMIK, and to wish him all the best with his duties in future. I would also like to thank the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Dacie, and Mr. Hashim Thaci for their statements.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“Finally, it is no wonder that the sustainable development goals that will be adopted at the next major meeting of the General Assembly in September will includes peacebuilding objectives. That gives us an idea of the importance of the sector as well as the interrelationship between peace, security and sustainable human development.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“The Peacebuilding Commission plays a prominent role in this area through demonstrating the continuity of robust and well-coordinated support on the part of the international community for security sector reform. With its focus on development, the Commission acts as the third part of the peace, security and development apparatus, which we in the Chamber have established, especially through the country-specific configurations. All such international efforts must be accompanied by a sustained national effort, which would make it possible for the State to offer its citizens suitable functions and mechanisms when it comes to police and armed forces, border control, the protection of civilians and justice.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“I said earlier that there are more and more peacekeeping missions with mandates related to strengthening the security sector. However, the exit strategies planned by Department of Peacekeeping Operations must be gradual and progressive. They must be drawn up according to objective, clear and verifiable parameters within the framework of a road map that defines the strategies clearly. They must be drawn up jointly with the host State, whose ownership must be encouraged to ensure that there is a proper assumption of responsibility on the part of the State on the matter of its own security sector. There is still another element that we must bear in mind when a peacekeeping mission comes to an end.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“Rational allocation of human, economic and material resources to the security sector is crucial. Lastly in that regard, it is necessary to ensure that State protection mechanisms for its citizens involve the necessary democratic control on the part of society. Security sector reform implies a high degree of political responsibility and accountability, including mechanisms that make it possible to fight against corruption. The very close relationship that exists between security sector reform and the reform of the justice sector, due to their nature, are interconnected. Thirdly, security sector reform is an ongoing process, a medium- and long-term process, which due to its very nature has a longer life than that of United Nations peacekeeping missions.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“As a result, security sector reform empowered to build the necessary trust and confidence must be a process that is inclusive in the sense that the entire nation should feel that it is a part of the change taking place. When I talk about inclusiveness I also want to refer to this as a process that is sensitive to gender issues. As we heard from the speakers, women's participation in all phases of security sector reform is crucial. We trust that will be made clear in the month of October when we will discuss the reform of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. Only in that way can we really talk about local ownership where security and peace are considered essential public goods. Likewise, building trust means that we must bear in mind the economic and budgetary aspects of those reforms.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“We would also like to reiterate that Spain is contributing significantly, within the framework of the European Union, to training and providing advice for security sector reform in countries such as Somalia, the Niger, Mali and the Central African Republic, as well as outside the continent, in Afghanistan. However, all these efforts would be futile without the participation of civil society in this process where the building of trust is an important element. Secondly, an aspect I would like to comment on is that security sector reform has an important technical component. But we should not fool ourselves; it is essentially a political process, the ultimate objective of which is to enhance the trust of society in their own States, thereby strengthening State institutions.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“The main element of the security sector reform makes it one of the most sensitive structures within the State apparatus. As a result, reform must necessarily at all times be carried out under national ownership and leadership that is perfectly compatible with international support as well as the support of regional or subregional organizations. In that regard, we must highlight the importance of continuing to develop, for instance, partnerships between them and the United Nations and the African Union or with subregional organizations on the African continent, bearing in mind that it is on this continent that most countries find themselves immersed in security sector reform.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“For the countries immersed in conflict or in post-conflict situations, security sector reform is extraordinarily difficult. Nonetheless, there is no alternative. Without it, we would see a deepening of, or relapse into, the same conflict-charged situations. As a result, security sector reform serves, at the same time, a healthy and preventive dimension. On the basis of the accumulated experiences and lessons learned, a question would be: How are we carrying out the mission, and are we being effective when it comes to reforming the security sector? We could talk about the issue by coordinating three principal concepts: cooperation, trust and continuity of the process. First, allow me to begin with the first of those elements, the necessary international cooperation in this area.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): We would like to thank the Nigerian presidency of the Security Council for organizing this informative briefing. This is a timely debate, which certainly suitably complements the debates we have held in the past few weeks. An effective security sector is undoubtedly a guarantee of stability, peace and economic development. We noted that a year ago resolution 2151 (2014), adopted under Nigeria's presidency, demonstrated that it was important to have such a reform at this time. We are now in an even more opportune time to assess the developments that have taken place in the past year. In the past year, we have seen more United Nations peacekeeping operations and special political missions receiving a mandate from the Council to deepen work in this area.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“These types of meetings are a very good starting point, and my delegation fully supports them. There are other things we could take into account, for example, the statements made by Security Council members before the organs of regional bodies. Spain had the honour to participate this year, on four different occasions, in the work of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, and we believe that that was a very positive experience for all involved. Other ideas could involve greater coordination among the agendas or presidencies of the Councils, joint annual meetings of the Secretaries-General of the regional organizations with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and so there is a whole set of different aspects on which I believe the Security Council should reflect so as to determine if we could put them into practice.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“As a member of the European Union, I must of course mention the importance that Spain attaches to the cooperation that the European Union has with those regional organizations. While aligning myself with the statement to be made later by the representative of the European Union, I wish to to stress the important role of triangulation among the European Union, the United Nations and other organizations, specifically the African Union. I should like to conclude by raising a series ofissues that the Council itself could reflect on and consider as a means of deepening the existing relationship between the United Nations and these regional organizations. There are annual meetings between the Security Council and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union or the Political and Security Committee of the European Union.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“These types of meetings will continue and soon, as I said earlier, the representative of Jordan will hold another meeting in Amman along these same lines. Having said that, we have to acknowledge that obstacles exist to the work of regional and subregional organizations, obstacles that we must jointly try to overcome. Among them I would mention very briefly the need to guarantee and sustainability and predictability of financial resources, the need to promote capacity-building in regional and subregional bodies, and the need to enhance cooperation between regional bodies and the United Nations. The African Union is once again a very good example of the efforts that have been made in recent years, with its increasing contribution to the maintenance of peace and security.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“Any initiative promoting the training and involvement of regional organizations in mediation efforts seems particularly interesting to us. I would like to give an example of this. In March, within the framework of the Spanish-Moroccan initiative on the promotion of mediation in the Mediterranean region, a seminar was held in Madrid on the role of regional and subregional organizations in mediation in the Mediterranean region. The seminar helped to promote and develop General Assembly resolution 68/303, of 2014, on mediation and regional organizations. We were joined in Madrid not only by the United Nations but also by the European Union, the Union for the Mediterranean, the League of Arab States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Arab Maghreb Union.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“Here I refer to the fight against transnational organized crime, mitigating environmental threats and the fight against illicit trafficking, including human trafficking, which is something we see every day on the Mediterranean coast. Another aspect that my delegation would like to stress in connection with the importance of regional organizations is preventive diplomacy and, more specifically, mediation. We in Spain firmly believe in the value of mediation as an instrument of preventive diplomacy. Regional organizations have a great deal to say in this area, as they have deeper knowledge of the local culture and realities, and they have the capacity to influence regional actors, with broad leeway for the participation of civil society, including women, in mediation initiatives.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“Regional organizations are increasingly aware of that fact, and a very clear example of this was the participation of many of these organizations - the European Union, the African Union, the League ofArab States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe - in the ministerial meeting on foreign terrorist fighters held in Madrid on 28 July, along with the special meeting of the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate chaired by the Ambassador of Lithuania. That was a very clear example of their involvement in this area. There are other aspects and other new threats that also require efforts on the part ofregional organizations.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“Another area where regional organizations also have important added value is attention to new threats, and here I should to refer in particular to the fight against terrorism. Undoubtedly the rise of terrorism and radicalism is a global problem that we all face and that requires that we be united in the fight against this barbaric phenomenon. Tackling the problem from a global perspective is key, but we must do it also from a regional perspective.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“In the case of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, for instance, we saw yesterday how it was able to shape the beginnings of an agreement in the case of South Sudan that we trust will be able to be developed later. Also, the Economic Community of West African States plays a very important role in supporting and playing a preventive role with respect to resolving the institutional and political crisis in Guinea-Bissau. Let me mention also the East African Community, which also supported the Arusha agreements in Burundi and which today could play a very important role in helping to achieve stability in that country, and, of course, we encourage them to do so.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“It is now more than ever necessary that regional and subregional structures become involved in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in the States of their region. They have a greater knowledge of local realities and can make the best contributions. The case of Africa is a paradigmatic in that respect. The crucial role played by the African Union (AU) in crises such as those in Somalia and the Central African Republic with the support and the assistance of the United Nations is a very good example. But it is not only regional organizations of a continental nature but also subregional organizations that have important added value.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“First, I would like to refer to those aspects that, in the View of Spain, have greater added value for the role of regional organizations in the face of new challenges to international peace and security. Second, I will address the challenges those regional organizations face in conducting their work. First of all, with respect to the added value of these bodies, I will paraphrase the Secretary-General, who acknowledged that this is a time of partnership peacekeeping. Of course, this is a reality, and the main aspect to which I will refer is the importance of the work of regional organizations in peacekeeping as well as the repercussions of current conflicts in terms of violence, with indiscriminate attacks against civilians, and in humanitarian terms, causing refugees crises, just to give a few examples.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his presence, as well as for his valuable contributions to today's discussion. I would also like to thank the Nigerian presidency for organizing today's debate and for its cohesive approach to the three debates that have been scheduled for this week to address new challenges such as Ebola, crucial solutions such as security sector reform and the work to be undertaken by regional organizations. Those are three issues that affect us all and whose consideration by the Council is essential. Our thanks for that. I am going to divide my statement into two parts.”
2015-08-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7505 (2015) · source
“We therefore believe that any security sector reform in those countries, or any plan for stabilization or border management, cross-border mechanisms for fighting organized crime or the trafficking of illicit goods and drugs - in short, anything that could pose a threat to peace and security - must resolutely take into account the new threat of an epidemic or pandemic that, while starting off as a health issue, has a far broader impact. In that area, I fear that our attitude has been more reactive than proactive. I shall therefore conclude by stating my belief that it would be a good idea for the Council to consider how we could better incorporate the lessons learned from this crisis into the peacebuilding architecture and into Peacebuilding Commission, in particular. That would be the question that I ask on the issues raised today.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“That led the Security Council to take action. At the time, although not a member of the Security Council, Spain co-sponsored resolution 2177 (2014), which was a milestone in the evolution of the Council itself. Spain co-sponsored the resolution because we thought at that time - as we still do - that the concept of threats to international peace and security should cover not only traditional threats, but also others that, like the Ebola epidemic, could threaten millions of lives and the stability of entire regions and countries that, in many cases, are already vulnerable and fragile, thereby undermining post-conflict achievements and undo progress towards sustainable development. The cases of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been exemplary models in that regard.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“We need to recognize that local health-care assistance and regional assistance at the first signs of an outbreak of an epidemic are two of the weakest links in the chain. Once acknowledged, it is essential that we strengthen our focus to try to solve those problems. Exactly one year ago today, the Spanish priest Miguel Pajares died in Madrid. Just a few weeks later, another Spanish priest succumbed to Ebola. Both men gave their lives helping those affected in Liberia, and through their memory I pay tribute to all the victims of the epidemic and all the humanitarian workers who have paid with their lives in that crisis and in others. A year ago, the impact of the virus demonstrated that it could spread beyond the countries immediately affected. We also realized that the crisis had become more than just a localized health emergency.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“First, we should focus on research. We have had very encouraging news about the new experimental vaccine, and Spain is strongly committed to the new initiative, which will make it possible - once properly tested and verified - for the vaccine to be made available to all those in a vulnerable situation. The second area of preparedness is, as we have just heard, the need to make rapid response resources constantly ready for deployment on the ground. The United Nations has had ample experience in this area over the past year that should enable us to determine where we have succeeded and where we need to improve. Thirdly, we need to focus on the rebuilding and improving of the health-care systems of the countries most affected and of those that could be vulnerable in the future.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“Thanks to the work of thousands of professionals and volunteers, many of whom have given their lives, we are closer to the end of the crisis. Above all, this has been made possible thanks to the work and commitment of local communities, as Dr. Fallah and Dr. Nabarro have described so eloquently, which have made it possible for us to speak today of being close to the end of the crisis. We are close to the end, but not there yet. As several speakers have stated, we must not let down our guard. While Ebola is no longer in the headlines and the number of infections fell to zero only a short while ago, we need to be aware that the Ebola virus has not disappeared but remains hidden, and we need to be prepared for it. We have spoken at length today of the need to be prepared, and preparation should accordingly focus on three areas.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“One of those is clearly illustrated by the example of Nigeria's swift and transparent reaction when the threat of Ebola crossed its borders. That was a model of good practices from which we all need to draw the appropriate lessons. The initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms are also extremely encouraging. Those include the initiatives of the Mano River Union, the Economic Community of West African States and, in particular, the African Union, which Ambassador Tete Antonio has just outlined for us. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge the recovery plans that were presented at the high-level conference convened by the Secretary-General by the affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Spain fully endorses those recovery plans. We find ourselves at a time of cautious optimism.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank you, Madam President, for giving us the opportunity today to hear some of those who were at the front line of the response to the epidemic and reconstruction and development efforts of the countries affected. Their opinions and views are essential to Member States in making informed decisions on the steps to take in the future in order to put an end to the final remnants of the epidemic and in helping to strengthen the response and adaptation capacity of the local, regional and national authorities and institutions. Today, Dr. Chan has sent us a very optimistic message. Naturally, we share that optimism, which is the result of a series of assertive decisions made over the past months and year.”
2015-08-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7502 (2015) · source
“In that respsect, my delegation expresses its full support for the excellent work carried out by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, which are the best equipped and most appropriate mechanisms in the fight against violent extremism and, indeed, terrorism in general. I cannot conclude without expressing Spain's solidarity with the victims of terrorism, whom we must always keep in mind because they can play a key role in preventing radicalization and violent extremism.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“Finally and fourthly, we believe - and it goes without saying - that it is essential to combat the financing of terrorism. The Council has acted to that end by adopting the two resolutions that have been frequently referenced in today's debate. It is crucial to strengthen international coordination to establish mechanisms that will leave no loopholes whereby terrorists could continue receiving financing for their criminal activities. Strengthened cooperation is also necessary to prevent the financial flows that benefit those groups. With respect to the four elements I have mentioned, the work of the United Nations is essential.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“It is very important to develop positive and inclusive messages that target members of these communities and in particular their young people. The third aspect is critical international cooperation among States, without which it is impossible to effectively combat the threat of global terrorism. We need to step up and promote exchanges of information and assistance in terms of criminal investigations and the gathering of proof. Our national experience leads us to think that international cooperation is a very effective tool for coping with and defeating the terrorist threat. In that context, Spain has established strong mechanisms for cooperation with its neighbours, in particular the States of the southern shores of the Mediterranean.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“The second aspect that my delegation wanted to refer to is the need to act resolutely against the radicalization and propaganda that promotes violent extremism. In that regard, Spain has drawn up a national strategic plan to combat violent radicalization. Actions in that area should always be carried out in close cooperation with leaders of communities susceptible to radicalization. Terrorists' use of new communications technology should lead us to developing programmes of action aimed at de-activating and countering the propaganda that is spread by terrorists through social media. We should always respect - and this is a very sensitive matter - the freedom of expression and the free circulation of ideas.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“Spain has taken steps in this area and implemented measures within the current legal framework, in particular to prevent Spanish citizens and residents of my country from travelling to areas of conflict and participating in terrorist activities and violent actions. Various individuals have been detained while trying to leave Spain for that purpose, and, in cooperation with neighbouring countries, we have dismantled a network that was involved in recruiting those individuals. Although Spanish criminal law already has useful provisions for combating terrorism, including in addressing the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, our country is preparing additional legal reforms in order to strengthen our capacity to prevent the recruitment and travel of such fighters.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“Secondly, we must combat the propaganda that promotes violent extremism. Thirdly, we must promote cooperation among States in order to combat the scourge. Lastly, I would like to refer to the importance of combating financing of these groups. On the first point, I note that it is essential to examine the conditions that promote the spread of terrorism, while at the same time respecting human rights and the rule of law. Terrorism should be fought on various fronts with efficiency and respect for the law. It is essential to delegitimize terrorism, focus on the radicalizing environment that fosters its emergence, and fight its expressions by prosecuting perpetrators and holding them accountable in courts of law for their acts.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source
“Mr. Gasso Matoses (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): We are meeting at a crucial moment in the fight against terrorism, Al-Qaida, the Al Nusra Front, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and related terrorist organizations. In that context, the United Nations and the Security Council have acted decisively with resolutions 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014), both of which contain significant provisions for combating these groups and against the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. This suggests that the situation is a threat to international peace and security, as the Council has asserted, and that States have to act globally against the threat. That involves four elements that my delegation would like to highlight. First, we need to focus on the conditions that foster the emergence of the phenomenon.”
2014-11-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7316 (2014) · source