YouSaid · the spoken record

Maes

lines on the record

204

first

2011-11-09

most recent

2023-07-14

sittings or episodes

34

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

1. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank you, Madam President, for having organized this briefing. It gives us an opportunity to interact with Lieutenant General Maqsood Ahmed, Military Adviser forPeacekeepingOperations,andtheForceCommanders of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). I thank Lieutenant General Dos Santos Cruz, Major General Kazura and Lieutenant General Singha for their briefings. They have vividly described the challenges facing United Nations missions in contexts where the threat is constantly evolving and peacekeepers are required to be able to adapt a great deal.”

   2014-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7275 (2014) · source

2. “We want to recall here that the parties to the conflict are obliged to distinguish between civilians and combatants. In conclusion, I would like to express our gratitude to the staff of UNAMA for their unwavering commitment in difficult conditions. It is essential that UNAMA get the support needed to continue its work alongside the Afghan people. Echoing other colleagues, I would like to express my delegation's appreciation to Jan Kubis for the professionalism and remarkable skill with which he has fulfilled his mandate as Head of UNAMA at a crucial time for the Afghan transition. Through his work, he has embodied the principles and values of the United Nations. We warmly thank him for that and wish every success to his deputy, Nicholas Haysom, who will succeed him on 1 November.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

3. “We encourage UNAMA to keep the Security Council informed, through its periodic reports, on the progress made by the Afghan Government in the implementation of the road map. As we see in many conflicts, intensified fighting is often associated with an increase in the number of civilian casualties. That axiom is unfortunately true also in Afghanistan. The civilian population continues to bear the brunt ofthe conflict. Women and children are paying a very heavy price, as the Special Representative reminded us. We are appalled by the significant increase of 24 per cent in the number of civilian casualties in the first half of 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. Anti-Government forces are responsible for three quarters of those civilian casualties.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

4. “In those areas, it is important to recognize the progress made by Afghanistan over the past decade without, however, losing sight of the extent of the outstanding problems, in particular, that of the status of women. In that respect, we urge the next government to spare no effort to effectively implement the law on the elimination of violence against women. We advocate the improvement of women's rights in Afghanistan as one of its priorities. With regard to the protection of children's rights, we welcome the agreement reached on 23 July on the road map to accelerate the implementation of the action plan against the recruitment and the use of children in the Afghan National Security Forces.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

5. “In particular, it will be important to move forward as quickly as possible in the establishment of the legal frameworks necessary for the deployment of future international assistance missions to the Afghan National Security Forces. For its part, NATO once again reiterated its firm commitment to supporting the Afghan security forces beyond 2014 at the summit in Newport at the beginning of this month. Another challenge for Afghanistan is the economy and the fight against poverty. The implementation of economic reforms and close cooperation with its regional partners will be essential to reviving the economy and to improving the living standards of Afghans. A stable and prosperous society also rests on the rule of law and human rights.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

6. “Today, it is crucial that the hopes placed by the people in the electoral process be heard and that the common desire for peace and stability be taken into account. We want to believe that the candidates for the presidential election and their supporters will be able to meet the challenge. More than ever, we call on them to exercise restraint in their statements and their actions and to make the interests of the Afghan people their main priority. Specifically, we expect them, as they have committed to doing, to accept the election results and to form a national unity Government. There is no other realistic way. The national unity Government, once formed, will face significant challenges. One of those is security. In that area, the new administration must quickly make decisions.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

7. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I, too, thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Jan Kubis, for his briefing. Through him, I would like to pay tribute to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for the crucial role that it has played in support of the electoral process in recent months. I also thank the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, Ambassador Zahir Tanin, for his statement. I associate myself with the statement to be made during this debate by the observer of the European Union. At the most recent debate (see S/PV.7208), we in this Chamber unanimously welcomed the determination and outstanding courage of the millions of Afghan men and women who went to the polls to contribute to the future of their country in a democratic way.”

   2014-09-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7267 (2014) · source

8. “It is our hope that, despite the obstacles that remain to be overcome, the round of talks to start this week here in New York will allow a decisive step to be taken on the road towards the definitive resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.”

   2014-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7265 (2014) · source

9. “However, we have not forgotten that the Iranian authorities must also continue to cooperate with the IAEA on outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions in their nuclear programme. On that point, the IAEA report finds it regrettable that there has been an unsatisfactory level of commitment on the part of Iran. That attitude is a cause for concern. It contrasts with the good faith claimed by Iran as to the purpose of its intentions. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Luxembourg's full support of current diplomatic efforts between the E3+3 and Iran. Those efforts have now reached a turning point.”

   2014-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7265 (2014) · source

10. “Regarding the work of the 1737 Committee, we continue to advocate for the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). We also consider it important to continue to examine the case of Klos C on the seizure in March of a shipment of arms from Iran, for which the Panel has found that there had been a violation of the regime sanctions. The latest report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), dated 5 September, notes that Iran continues to proceed with the development of effective confidence-building measures, suspending the most sensitive activities in its nuclear programme, pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action. That is certainly an encouraging sign.”

    2014-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7265 (2014) · source

11. “The Joint Plan of Action agreed in Geneva on 24 November last year was a crucial milestone on a path that must lead specifically to the re-establishment of confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of the Iranian nuclear programme. The great merit of the Plan is to have revived the dynamics of dialogue between the parties involved. In that regard, Luxembourg welcomes the intense diplomatic engagement of the E3+3, led by the High Representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, with a view to negotiating a comprehensive agreement that leads to a complete, negotiated and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. But pending the conclusion of such an agreement, the sanctions regime established by the Security Council remains fully applicable.”

    2014-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7265 (2014) · source

12. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): Ijoin those who have preceded me in thanking Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his briefing and his efforts as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I also would like to express my delegation's appreciation to the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) for the valuable support they provide to the work of the Sanctions Committee. While it is true that sanctions are not an end in themselves, it must also be remembered that they were not imposed withoutjustification. They are the response of the international community to the fear generated by the long-concealed development of the Iranian nuclear programme. Fear is the direct opposite of trust.”

    2014-09-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7265 (2014) · source

13. “We therefore call on the United Nations to adjust its presence to foster lasting stability in Kosovo, in line with the recent efforts of the European Union in restructuring EULEX. We welcome the Serbian Government's statement of unwavering commitment to the normalization of relations with Pristina under the auspices of the EU-facilitated dialogue. We are confident that the new Government of Kosovo, once established, will do the same to foster a new political impetus in the normalization of relations. In conclusion, Luxembourg takes this opportunity to encourage the authorities of Serbia and Kosovo to continue to exercise the wisdom, commitment and courage needed to achieve successful reconciliation between their countries and fulfil their common European aspirations.”

    2014-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7257 (2014) · source

14. “We encourage Kosovo institutions to cooperate with the European Union in the establishment next year of a special tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of the crimes committed, while allowing those who have been falsely accused to prove their innocence. Justice system can thereby become an integral part ofthe reconciliation process between Serbs and Kosovars. In recent months, Serbia and Kosovo have taken further steps on the path to European integration. Negotiations with Serbia onjoining the European Union are ongoing and, as has been noted, Kosovo has just initialled a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union. As Serbia and Kosovo advance in that direction, there will be less need for United Nations involvement.”

    2014-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7257 (2014) · source

15. “During the months of June and July, tensions arose around a so-called peace park that was set up on the bridge of Mitrovica, blocking movement between the two parts of the city. We encourage the initiatives under way to address the issue by consensus. We welcome the efforts made by Kosovo to strengthen the rule of law, with the support of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). We welcome the progress made by the EULEX Special Investigative Task Force concerning allegations contained in the report on inhumane treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo, published in January 2011 by the Council of Europe. We thank the Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Clint Williamson, and his team for their hard work, which was summarized in a presentation on 29 July.”

    2014-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7257 (2014) · source

16. “We welcome Serbia's constructive role in encouraging that democratic choice. This month, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo was able to clarify a number of issues raised following the elections. We now encourage the political leaders of Kosovo to show a spirit of compromise in order to swiftly form a new Government supported by a stable majority in Parliament. It is encouraging to see that the situation in Kosovo remained calm and stable during the period covered by the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/558). That said, we strongly condemn the fatal shooting that claimed the life of a Serbian police officer yesterday morning near the Serbian town of Merdare, near the Kosovo border. The circumstances of the attack must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

    2014-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7257 (2014) · source

17. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, Mr. Farid Zarif, for his briefing. I welcome to the Council His Excellency Mr. Ivica Dacie, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia and His Excellency Mr. Enver Hoxhaj, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, and thank them for their statements. Luxembourg congratulates the Kosovo authorities on the successful conduct of parliamentary elections in Kosovo on 8 June. The elections were conducted peacefully throughout Kosovo, including in the four northern municipalities with a Serb majority, in a unified legal framework. The election turnout was generally satisfactory and many Kosovo Serbs chose to go to the polls.”

    2014-08-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7257 (2014) · source

18. “The Russian Federation must be an integral part of the effort to find a political solution, rather than continue to fuel the crisis, which dates back to another era.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

19. “We hope that consultations between Russia and Ukraine to ensure better control of the borders will be held soon and that the parties' discussions will lead to the release of prisoners held by illegal armed groups. The trilateral talks initiated by the Chairperson in Office ofthe Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are key in that regard, as is the deployment of OSCE observers to the two border posts, Gukovo and Donetsk, along the Russian-Ukrainian border. We hope that the mandate of the mission will be expanded so that it can contribute to the effective, comprehensive and bilateral control of the Russian- Ukrainian border. Securing the border is key for the restoration of peace, as it will put an end to the flow of arms and weaponry to the separatists. The solution to the Ukrainian crisis can only be political.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

20. “In that regard, we welcome the efforts undertaken by the Secretary- General to promote dialogue between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, in particular through the missions of Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman to the region. The dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, initiated in Geneva and Berlin, must be pursued in order to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We welcome the meeting held the day before yesterday in Minsk between the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, in particular in the presence of the European Union. We hope that those talks will lead to concrete results, and especially to the establishment of a road map based on President Poroshenko's peace plan.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

21. “It has also been recently recognized by a separatist leader in Donetsk, who explained in a Russian television interview that the latest success of the separatists would not have been possible without the help of Russian servicemen. Today we are witnessing a new, dangerous stage in the escalation of violence in Ukraine despite official Russian proclamations calling for dialogue and de-escalation. We urge the Russian Federation to immediately cease all forms of hostile activity along the border, in particular the inflow ofweapons, military advisers and military staff into the conflict zone, and to withdraw its forces from the border. Given the ongoing deterioration on the ground, we need to find a lasting political solution to the crisis. That is becoming ever more urgent.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

22. “All unilateral military action by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, whatever the pretext, including humanitarian, would constitute a serious violation of international law and would be viewed as such by the international community. We cannot allow the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine to be violated. The presence of Russian fighters among the separatists, including among their leaders, is quite unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. That presence has been reported primarily in various reports of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Ukraine.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

23. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I too would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman for his briefing. We are very concerned by the serious deterioration in the situation in the areas controlled by the separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions resulting from increased fighting in those regions. We are also very concerned by reports of renewed fighting in the south- east of Ukraine near the city of Mariupol, during which the separatists took control of the city of Novoazovsk. For several days, there have been increasing numbers of reports of incursions by Russian regular troops and military vehicles into Ukrainian territory. We are also concerned by reports of bombings of Ukrainian territory from Russia and violations of Ukrainian air space.”

    2014-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7253 (2014) · source

24. “I conclude by welcoming the fact that the two Tribunals are making available the lessons learned from their ground-breaking work so as to strengthen national capacities across the world and create an international justice system that is more effective.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

25. “At a time when the work of both Tribunals is coming to a close, it is more important than ever for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities in putting an end to impunity and providing unwavering support to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The fact that the Security Council can refer situations to the ICC is a key tool in establishing responsibility and accountability. At a time when current events, in particular in Syria, demonstrate that widespread atrocities remain a challenge for the international community, the legacy of the ICTY and the ICTR should serve to warn perpetrators across the world that they will have to bear the consequences of the choices they have made, the measures they have taken, and the orders they have given.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

26. “Regarding assistance to the Tribunal, the pending issue of the resettlement of nine acquitted individuals and two others who were freed after serving their sentence and still live in Arusha, also has our full attention. In establishing the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda, the Security Council responded to the universal appeal that those responsible for the most serious crimes against the international community be brought to account for their actions. The International Criminal Court, a permanent court with international jurisdiction, has now assumed a key role, which ensures that justice will be served.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

27. “The ICTR is about to conclude its work, and the transition towards the International Residual Mechanism is under way. By the end of 2012, the first trials were concluded. The Tribunal is now continuing with the appeal proceedings, which will be concluded, we hope, in 2015 with the delivery of a judgement in the Butare case. Three high-level fugitives are still being sought, and their arrest must remain a priority. They will be judged by the Residual Mechanism when they are apprehended. Cooperation among all States and the Tribunal and the Mechanism is an obligation under Security Council resolutions, and it is important that the Mechanism have the necessary support to successfully conduct its work.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

28. “In that regard, we welcome measures taken by the Office of the Prosecutor to improve capacity-building through a joint training project with the European Union for national prosecutors and young professionals from the former Yugoslavia. As regards Bosnia and Herzegovina, we commend the efforts of the European Union to strengthen available resources at the State and local levels to prosecute war crimes. We also welcome the training efforts by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last year, we marked the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the ICTY. This year, we will mark the twentieth anniversary of the conception of the ICTR. Established on 8 November 1994 upon the request of Rwanda, the ICTR has played a critical role in prosecuting perpetrators of genocide.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

29. “We welcome the steps it has taken to meet the deadlines established by the completion strategy while respecting the fundamental principles of equity and due process. We are pleased that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia have continued to cooperate with the ICTY. Such cooperation on the part of States is essential if the Court is to be able to fulfil its mandate. We note, however, that according to the Prosecutor's report (S/2014/351, annex II), the capacity of national institutions to prosecute war crimes effectively remains a source of concern, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We share the Prosecutor's concern about the slow progress with category II cases transferred to the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities, as well as with other war crime cases, particularly those involving sexual violence.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

30. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I too would like to thank Presidents Meron and Joensen and Prosecutors Brammertz and Jallow for their briefings and reports on the activities of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). I also thank them for the information they have given us in the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. We commend the excellent work of both Tribunals in developing international law, bringing justice to the victims, apprehending fugitives and prosecuting the individuals guilty of genocide and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is currently dealing with very complex cases.”

    2014-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7192 (2014) · source

31. “Some of those acts committed by Boko Haram could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which Nigeria has ratified. All those responsible must be brought to justice. In conclusion, on a positive note I would like to commend the work done by UNOCA and the United Nations Office for West Africa in combatting piracy off the coast of the Gulf of Guinea States, which is now the African region most affected by piracy. We welcome the progress achieved in the establishment of the Interregional Coordination Centre with the establishment, in April in Yaounde, of an interregional action plan for 2014-2016.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

32. “Given the persistent serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, the international community must remain vigilant and active. The sanctions adopted on 9 May by the Security Council against three key figures behind the crisis in the Central African Republic are an important measure to help end the climate of impunity prevailing in the country. In his report (S/2014/319), the Secretary-General notes with concern the activities of Boko Haram, which are not only a threat to the people in Nigeria, but have spread to other countries in the region. We want to reiterate our strongest condemnation of the kidnapping last month ofmore than 200 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria. Those girls must be released immediately. We strongly condemn the sexual and gender-based violence, kidnappings and attacks against schools.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

33. “Valerie Amos highlighted the humanitarian impact of the crisis in the Central African Republic on neighbouring countries, who are hosting a considerable number of refugees. The absence of the rule of law and the security vacuum in the Central African Republic have made it a haven for armed groups. On 10 April, the Security Council took the important decision to establish the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. Until the deployment of the first Blue Helmets in September, we are supporting MISCA on a bilateral level and through our participation in the European Union military operation in the Central African Republic. Similarly, we commend the vital action of France's Operation Sangaris.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

34. “In that context, allow me to underscore the need to fully integrate child protection in the activities of the African Union's regional intervention force and highlight the importance of programmes, such as those of UNICEF, to help with the release, return and reintegration of women and children abducted by the LRA. Finally, we remain concerned about the linkages between the illicit trade in wild fauna and armed groups operating in Central Africa, in particular the LRA. We therefore encourage UNOCA to continue to support the struggle against poaching and against ivory smuggling in the region. The situation in Central Africa continues to be severely affected by the crisis in the Central African Republic. Following her visit to Chad on 5 and 6 May, Ms.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

35. “Pending the implementation of MINUSCA, it is imperative that effective coordination is established as soon as possible between the two African Union operations active in the Central African Republic - the regional intervention force against the LRA and MISCA. Besides military operations, the international community must continue its efforts to promote the stabilization and development of LRA-affected regions. We also encourage all States to cooperate in implementing the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court almost nine years ago against LRA leaders, including Joseph Kony. Accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and the recruitment of children, the main LRA leaders must be brought to justice. Women and children are the main victims of the LRA.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

36. “Coordination between the United Nations, the African Union and the States affected by the LRA is essential, as is knowledge sharing and cooperation between the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), which will be rehatted as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 15 September.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

37. “It is also necessary to mobilize the vital resources and equipment for the effective functioning of that regional force. In that respect, we commend the significant support of the United States and the European Union, which has just provided a new contribution of almost €2 million to the African Union. For its part, in late 2013Luxembourg provided additional financial support for the operation of the regional headquarters of the regional intervention force located in Yambio, South Sudan.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

38. “As a result of the crisis in the Central African Republic, LRA leaders based in the north-east of the Central African Republic have been able to rebuild their forces. We have also noted with concern the credible information suggesting the presence of senior LRA leaders, including Joseph Kony, in the Kafia Kingi enclave on the border of the Sudan, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. In that context, we must redouble our efforts to support the African Union's Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord's Resistance Army. While the crisis in South Sudan caused the temporary redeployment of troops, we hope that the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 9 May to resolve the South Sudanese crisis will allow all countries participating in the regional intervention force against the LRA to provide the necessary troops.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

39. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the Regional United Nations Office for Central Africa, Mr. Abou Moussa, for his briefing. Since this is his last statement before the Council in that capacity, I would like to take this opportunity to commend his work to promote peace and security in Central Africa over the past three years. I want to wish every success to his successor, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily. Over the past three years, significant progress has been made in operations against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The pressure, military operations and many defections have weakened the group's combat capability. However, the LRA continues to pose a serious threat to the region, in particular to civilians.”

    2014-05-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7171 (2014) · source

40. “We call on the leaders and citizens of the two countries to continue to demonstrate the necessary commitment and courage to achieve their common European future. Luxembourg is committed to supporting them along that path.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

41. “At the level of the Security Council, given the new situation on the ground, which is characterized by a lasting stabilization of the security situation and increased involvement by the European Union, we share the view voiced previously by our colleagues from the United States, the United Kingdom, Jordan and France that the time has come to review the frequency with which the Security Council addresses the situation in Kosovo and the activities of UNMIK. Undoubtedly, there is a need to consider adapting the presence of the international community on the ground in the medium term. As the European perspective of Serbia and Kosovo materializes in the years to come, the need for United Nations involvement in Kosovo will diminish.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

42. “Catherine Ashton, for the skill and efficiency with which she continues to facilitate the high-level dialogue. The opening of European Union accession negotiations with Serbia, on 21 January, and the continuation of negotiations with a view to concluding a stabilization and association agreement between the European Union and Kosovo must inevitably encourage Belgrade and Pristina to resolutely and irreversibly move towards reforms and the normalization of their relations.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

43. “We welcome the fact that, with the support of EULEX and in the presence of the authorities of Kosovo and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the Serbian authorities began excavation work in December along the Rudnica road in the municipality of Raska, Serbia, where a mass grave was discovered. The case having been assigned to an examining magistrate, we now encourage the recovery of remains as soon as possible to allow the families of the deceased to establish the fate of their relatives. As important elections lie ahead in 2014, I wish to pay tribute to the two Prime Ministers for their perseverance and political courage. I also want to congratulate the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

44. “The European Union Rule ofLaw Mission (EULEX) continues to play a key role in three areas: first, in helping the Kosovo authorities to strengthen their institutions; secondly, in fighting organized crime and corruption; and, lastly, in prosecuting the perpetrators of war crimes and combating impunity for the most serious crimes, including those related to allegations of organ trafficking. Luxembourg attaches particular importance to the fate of the 1,721 people who are still listed as missing since the end of the conflict in Kosovo.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

45. “In addition to the municipal elections, the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, facilitated by the European Union, has led to progress in terms of the progressive dismantling of parallel structures, in particular within the police, and in terms of the management of border crossings, with the introduction of new procedures for the collection of customs duties. We hope that the next round of the dialogue, to take place in Brussels on 12 February, will be an opportunity to make progress in the area ofjustice arrangements. The normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina must necessarily be accompanied by the energetic pursuit of reforms aimed at ensuring the rule of law in Kosovo.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

46. “Despite a few incidents, the commitment of political officials on both sides and the significant support provided by international partners, in particular the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union, ensured the success of the municipal elections, including in the four municipalities in northern Kosovo. We are confident that all the necessary measures will be taken for the partial election of 23 February to determine the mayor of northern Mitrovica also takes place under the best conditions possible. Once that phase has been completed, we encourage Serbian and Kosovar leaders to reach an agreement as soon as possible on the modalities for the establishment of Serb- majority municipalities as. In so doing, the provisions of the historic Agreement of 19 April 2013 will have full effect.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

47. “Mr. Maes (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I, too, welcome Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo Farid Zarif and thank him for his briefing. I welcome as well His Excellency Mr. Ivica Daeic', Prime Minister of Serbia, and His Excellency Mr. Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo, and thank them for their presentations. On 3 November 2013, municipal elections were held for the first time throughout the territory of Kosovo under Kosovo law, in implementation of the First Agreement of Principles Governing the Normalization of Relations between Belgrade and Pristina.”

    2014-02-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7108 (2014) · source

48. “Finally, we welcome the success of the open information session held on 18 November that brought together the President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Mr. Vladimir Nechaev, and the heads of the Security Council Committees on Counter-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation. The FATF is an important partner that is providing useful assistance to Member States so that they can apply the financial provisions of Security Council resolutions more efficiently. We thank Ambassador Quinlan for having taken the initiative to convene that meeting.”

    2013-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7082 (2013) · source

49. “The interception of the carbon fibre cargo shipment destined for the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, which the Panel of Experts recently found to be a violation of the sanctions regime, must also have an appropriate follow-up. Ambassador Quinlan and other speakers also recalled that, in recent months, the 1737 Committee addressed two letters to the Iranian authorities, neither of which has yet been answered. The first is about the launches of Shahab-l and -3 missiles in July 2012 during the Great Prophet VII exercises; the other concerns the interception of an arms cargo shipment off the coast of Yemen in January 2013. We call on the Iranian authorities to answer those letters. It would be a simple gesture that would lay the foundation for collaboration with the Committee that has been unfortunately lacking until now.”

    2013-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7082 (2013) · source

50. “That is an important development, for although the right of Iran to the peaceful use of nuclear energy is not in question, it must reassure the international community by taking the necessary steps to prove that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful in nature. In that context, we welcome the fact that, on 8 December, for the first time in more than two years ago, IAEA inspectors had access to the Arak heavy water production site. Re-establishing the confidence of the international community should also require Iran to meet its international obligations under the terms of the resolutions adopted since 2006 by the Board of Governors of the IAEA and by the Security Council. The action of the 1737 Committee and the proper implementation of its mandate are crucial in that regard.”

    2013-12-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7082 (2013) · source