YouSaid · the spoken record

Mark Lyall Grant

lines on the record: 1,799
first: 2009-11-13
most recent: 2015-04-24
sittings or episodes: 275
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We have also supported UNDP's armed violence reduction work, which aims to inhibit the demand for arms and target the root causes of armed Violence and community insecurity, for example by supporting armed violence prevention and community security programmes. Every day, people are affected by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their ammunitions. In the hands of criminal gangs or armed groups, as the Austrian Ambassador has just said, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are injured and killed by them every year. Such Violence destroys livelihoods, displaces entire communities and hampers social and economic development. The impact on peace, reconstruction, stability, security, human rights and sustainable development has been especially damaging in Central Africa.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“We are providing funding to non-governmental organizations that are developing initiatives and mechanisms for enhancing controls and regulations on small arms and light weapons and arms transfers, reducing conflict and promoting more effective and accountable security provision. We are also supporting non-governmental organizations that provide independent policy research and analysis on small arms and armed violence issues, for example in Burundi. Through our support to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Crisis Prevention and Recovery Thematic Trust Fund, the United Kingdom has assisted efforts to control and curtail the supply of arms to conflict zones and fragile settings through civilian arms collection, surplus destruction and stockpile management, as well as enhancements to transfer and export controls.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“If those embargoes are to be effective in their purpose and deliver the improvements to the political and security environments that they have been introduced to achieve, any possible Violations must be promptly reported. Thirdly, the United Nations has a role. United Nations missions in the subregion are involved in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration work. Good practice in this area includes measures to prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and to manage effectively the legitimate stockpiles of weapons held by States. The United Kingdom Government is playing its part.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“However, we must ensure that robust transparency and control measures are in place to avoid arms being diverted to those who could use them to commit human rights violations and undermine peace and security. To this end, the United Kingdom has played a leading role in developing a legally binding arms trade treaty that would set standards for the arms trade, ensuring respect for human rights and international humanitarian law while respecting a State's inherent right to self-defence. Furthermore, arms embargoes imposed by this Council in the Central African region require the active cooperation of the Central African countries themselves to ensure their effective implementation.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“Transparent systems are less vulnerable to manipulation by groups that View rigorous export controls as an obstacle to their self-serving goals. Closing gaps and addressing weaknesses in licensing procedures, end-use monitoring practices and other controls are essential measures for preventing diversion. It is easier to spot and correct diversions in transparent systems than in systems that are more opaque. The establishment of a subregional register of small arms by the Central African States should be an effective step in our overall efforts to combat this illicit trade and should promote regional confidence-building, stability and security. Secondly, with regard to the arms trade more generally, we acknowledge the right of States to legally trade in conventional arms for self-defence.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for initiating today's debate. This is an issue of serious concern to the United Kingdom. Like others, I should like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General for her introduction today and Mr. Costa and Mr. Sylvain-Goma for their contributions, and also to welcome the attendance of High Representative Duarte at today's debate. The draft presidential statement before us addresses three key issues: action by the Central African subregion, the arms trade itself, and action by the international community in response. I should like to address these three issues. First, I shall address subregional action. The United Kingdom believes that information-sharing and transparency help to tackle this illicit trade.”
2010-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6288 (2010) · source
“That event will maintain momentum in building a political strategy in Afghanistan and will enable the Government of Afghanistan, with the support of the United Nations and the international community, to articulate how it will implement the commitments made in January. Afghanistan and the United Nations have the United Kingdom's full support.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“As the Secretary-General's report highlights, corruption is currently an even greater priority for Afghans than security. Corruption hampers socio- economic development and undermines the legitimacy of the Government and its ability to deliver services to the Afghan people. At the London Conference, President Karzai committed to tackling corruption and to building independent institutions to drive and monitor progress. We therefore welcome Mr. Le Roy's confirmation that President Karzai today enacted legislation establishing the High Office for Oversight and Anti-corruption. Improving anti-corruption efforts will build the confidence of donors to channel an increasing percentage of development funds directly through Afghan ministries. Finally, we look forward to the Kabul conference later this year.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“We therefore welcome President Karzai's commitment to appointing two internationals to the Electoral Complaints Commission, and we look forward to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General making those appointments shortly. We agree with the analysis in the Secretary- General's report of the presidential elections last year. A number of lessons need to be learned, and we recognize the challenges in delivering credible elections this coming September. We note the commitment in the London communique that the Afghan Government will work closely with the United Nations to deliver improvements in all future electoral processes, and we look forward to the Government outlining and implementing electoral reforms without delay. Tackling corruption must remain a top priority for the Afghan Government and for international partners.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“And to support that Afghan-led political process, and at the request of the Government, we envisage an important role for UNAMA and the good offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Third are elections. UNAMA will have an important role in helping the Afghan Government to prepare for the forthcoming legislative elections. We hope that all efforts will be made by the Government to ensure that they are transparent, credible and safe. We reaffirm our support for the Government's commitment in the London communique to preventing any irregularity and misconduct. It is important for the credibility of the election that both the Afghan Electoral Complaints Commission and the Independent Election Commission be genuinely independent so that they can provide the proper checks and balances required by the Constitution.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“We welcome the considerable efforts made by the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan forces in minimizing civilian casualties - a fall of some 28 per cent over the past year. We are working towards the day when foreign troops are no longer needed on the front line in Afghanistan, and when Afghanistan can stand up by itself to the threat posed by terrorism. Second is the political process. Developing an Afghan-led political settlement remains a critical task for 2010. Both the forthcoming Peace Jirga and the Kabul conference are central to that effort. We support the Afghan Government in its endeavour to develop a representative reconciliation process. As my Foreign Minister said last week, the Afghans must own, lead and drive such political engagement. It will be a slow, gradual process.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“These priorities renewed the international community's commitment to Afghanistan and its people, and recognized a new phase towards greater Afghan leadership. These priorities will be reflected in UNAMA's renewed mandate next week. The international community and President Karzai's Government now need to deliver on the commitments we collectively made in London, particularly in three priority areas. The first is security. As the Secretary-General's report sets out, the past three months have presented major security challenges, but the progress we have made is real. Operation Moshtarak shows the increasing role that Afghanistan is playing in strengthening its own security.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“We welcome the progress already made in filling vacant posts in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and stand ready to support further recruitment efforts. The United Kingdom also welcomes the appointments of the NATO Senior Civilian Representative and the European Union's Special Representative. Working with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, they will help to ensure that civilian delivery in Afghanistan amounts to more than the sum of its individual parts. The London Conference in January marked an important step. The Afghan Government, the United Nations and the international community agreed a common set of principles reflecting the ambitions that President Karzai outlined in his inauguration speech last year.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“I should like to thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2010/127) and Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy for his comprehensive briefing this morning. I should also like to welcome the positive remarks made by Ambassador Tanin. The report of the Secretary-General outlines clearly the progress made towards Afghanistan's becoming a secure, stable and prosperous nation. We remain firmly committed to this goal. But the report also sets out the scale of the challenges that remain. As this is the first time the Council has formally discussed Afghanistan since his appointment, let me like others welcome Staffan de Mistura as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. He has the United Kingdom's full support. We encourage him to maximize his time on the ground in Afghanistan in order to strengthen the United Nations leadership.”
2010-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6287 (2010) · source
“We have never denied Iran's right to pursue a peaceful civilian nuclear programme, but with that right comes responsibility, and Iran needs to restore trust by the international community. Their continued silence on possible weaponization activities, combined with the revelation of secret enrichment sites and aggressive rhetoric, does little to restore trust in their intentions, but merely adds to our concerns about the programme. The United Kingdom and its international partners, including the European Union, are committed to the dual-track strategy, and we hope that the Security Council will continue to support us in these efforts.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“Adopting further measures represents the best prospect for bringing Iran into serious negotiations to resolve the IAEA concerns. Such measures should be smart and effective. They should target areas with an impact on the regime's policy calculations. They should show the regime the extent to which the costs of their nuclear programme outweigh any dubious benefits. 10-25834 At the same time, we should reaffirm our willingness to continue to engage with Iran. The E3+3 has offered economic benefits, such as investment and trade, help so that Iran could develop civilian nuclear power and a renewed relationship with the international community based on respect and equality.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“The IAEA report emphasizes again that they are unable to verify that Iran's nuclear programme is for non-military purposes. Without this reassurance, there is a very real possibility that Iran's actions could lead to increased proliferation across the region. However, the prospect of tough sanctions means that this scenario is not inevitable. Despite Iranian boasting, we can still persuade Iran to comply with IAEA requirements by making the cost of their current nuclear programme too great to bear. Further measures would demonstrate that the international community is united behind a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear issue and would stave off any pre-emptive moves by others to resolve this issue by other means.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“The Director General urges Iran to take steps to fully implement its safeguards and other obligations, and we fully support the IAEA efforts in this regard. Iran's true intentions were also shown by its failure to respond constructively to the proposal to replace fuel rods at the Tehran nuclear research reactor using Iran's stocks of 3.5 per cent low-enriched uranium. That proposal met Iran's wish to secure fuel for this research reactor, and it would have been a real confidence boost to the prospects for a broader dialogue with Iran on nuclear matters. But despite initial signals that Iran could accept such a deal, it instead made counter-proposals in complete opposition to the spirit and purpose of the agreement. Iran's current trajectory is illegal and destabilizing.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“Thirdly, the IAEA Director General makes clear that there has been no Iranian cooperation with the IAEA on outstanding issues concerning possible military dimensions for 18 months, and he states that the information available to the Agency on these issues "altogether raises concerns about the possible existence 10-25834 in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities relating to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile". Fourthly, the report also highlights new areas of non-cooperation. For example, Iran has refused to allow the Agency to take samples of heavy water stored at Esfahan or access to the heavy water production plant. Fifthly, the report makes clear that Iran has still not implemented the Additional Protocol.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“The report states that the development of the Qom site is inconsistent with Iran's obligations under the subsidiary arrangements of its Safeguards Agreement and raises concerns about the completeness of its declarations. Secondly, the report states that Iran has provided the Agency with measurement results indicating that enrichment levels of up to 19.8 per cent were obtained between 9 and 11 February. Moreover, the report highlights that, although the Agency told Iran not to start enriching to 20 per cent, Iran continued to do so anyway. It states that Iran has now installed 8,610 centrifuges, of which 3,772 are operating, and has increased its stockpile of low enriched uranium to more than 2,000 kilogrammes.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“Sanctions have also made it harder for Iranian banks to finance proliferation activity and for Iran to develop its nuclear programme. However, while existing measures have had some effect, they have not yet led Iran to change course on its nuclear activities. That is clear from the most recent report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose charge-sheet against Iran is getting longer with each report. It reinforces our fears that Iran is acting duplicitously and illegally. I would highlight five particular areas covered, including one new example of non-cooperation. First, Iran showed its contempt for Security Council resolutions through the construction of the site at Qom and announcing its intention to build 10 further enrichment plants.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“I should like to add my voice to others congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month, and to pay tribute to the stewardship of Ambassador Araud and his French team during the month of February. I am grateful for Ambassador Takasu's detailed report and for the diligent work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) over the past three months. His report shows that sanctions have had an effect. For example, they have led to several seizures of illegal Iranian arms exports, and I commend the thorough work of the States that have acted in accordance with their international obligations to ensure that Iran's illicit activities have been disrupted.”
2010-03-04 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6280 (2010) · source
“There are no easy answers, but if transnational criminals are agile and inventive, so must be the response of the international community. We strongly support the call in today's draft presidential statement for the Secretary-General to consider these threats when he is analyzing conflict situations and submitting recommendations to the Security Council. I look forward to further discussion of these issues in the future in the Council.”
2010-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6277 (2010) · source
“Thirdly, it is clear from our discussions today that criminals and terrorists undermine stability and security, as well as democratic institutions, in fragile parts of the world. Countries in regions where the rule of law is weak and where there is an underdeveloped criminal justice system are particularly vulnerable to these transnational threats. This underlines the importance of coordinated international engagement, often with a strong peacebuilding focus, to build capacity in countries and regions most at risk. Time and again, as we look at situations of recurring conflict, we see that weak judicial systems and lack of effective policing capacity are a big part of the problem. These are sensitive issues for all Governments.”
2010-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6277 (2010) · source
“Last year, the Economic and Social Council called for kidnappers to be denied the benefit of substantive concessions. We urge all Member States to heed this call, not to pay ransoms, and thus deprive criminals and terrorists of a Vital source of funding and political leverage. As many colleagues have said this morning, the linkage of conflict and terrorism to drugs and international crime is clear. We also need to see stronger national and international action against the scourge of corruption. The United Nations Convention against Corruption has a Vital role to play. We encourage all States parties to work together to ensure that the review mechanism agreed in Doha last year is as effective as possible.”
2010-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6277 (2010) · source
“I would like to highlight in particular UNODC's important work in Afghanistan. The annual survey released last year confirmed a 22 per cent reduction in poppy cultivation in 2009. We agree with UNODC's recent analysis that poppy cultivation is likely to remain stable in 2010. This shows that effective global and regional action to counter the threat of drug trafficking is possible. But it also shows that there is no room for complacency. Secondly, the threat posed by drug trafficking is one part of a broader challenge posed by international crime. The United Kingdom deplores the growing number of kidnappings and hostage-takings aimed at raising funds or gaining political advantage, whether in South Asia, Africa or Latin America.”
2010-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6277 (2010) · source
“I thank the presidency of the Council for initiating today's debate and for focusing the Security Council's attention on the serious threat posed to international peace and security by transnational crime. I am also grateful to Mr. Costa for his informative and insightful briefing this morning. I want to focus on three points. First, the threat posed by drug trafficking is real and it is global. The United Kingdom, along with all other Member States, has a responsibility to support work which reduces both the demand for and the supply of drugs that are doing so much harm to our families, communities and societies. But the scale of the challenge means that we require a coordinated response from the international community, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is playing a vital role in this regard.”
2010-02-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6277 (2010) · source
“We should give the peacekeepers clear and achievable goals, and recognize when their work is done and it is time for others to take up the burden. That will often involve a degree of risk, and we must be realistic about that risk. But the alternative is overstretch and failure to achieve the unachievable. And that, in our view, is the biggest threat to United Nations peacekeeping.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“At its conception in 2005, we wanted the Commission to help the Council manage the drawdown and transition of successful peacekeeping operations, and it has done a lot of admirable work. But like the Secretary-General, we would like to see an even sharper focus on what concrete action needs to be taken by the Council, by peacekeepers and by the rest of the United Nations system to achieve that strategic objective. There is a broader point here. We need to draw in advice more regularly from across the range of military, police, development and other expertise available. We should celebrate the many successes of United Nations peacekeeping. It has been a remarkable institution, but we often ask too much of it and expect it to deliver what only national authorities can deliver: security and prosperity.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“This can include providing a minimum level of sustainable security or helping to restore core Government functions, but peacekeepers cannot deliver an entire peacebuilding strategy. Fourthly, the Security Council needs to focus its attention on the critical obstacles to achieving the strategic objectives. Sometimes we will need tougher political messages; sometimes we will need to reconfigure the mission, as we have done in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We spend too much time talking about what is happening now and not enough about what is required to get to sustainable peace. Lastly, I think we need to make better use of the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“Doss said, sometimes we concentrate too much on the urgent at the expense of the important, and we need to ensure that the Council has enough time to discuss and monitor at a strategic level what a United Nations operation is trying to achieve. Secondly, we need a clear and prioritized set of tasks that fall to the peacekeeping operation and a way to measure their progress. I think that we are getting better at this, including through the use of benchmarking, but we still have a long way to go in developing flexible but effective ways of evaluating success. Thirdly, we need to be clear about what peacekeepers can do and cannot do. There is much that peacekeepers can do to support peacebuilding, as the Secretary-General set out in his report.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the staff of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) have created such a plan in the first integrated strategic framework. In Sierra Leone, we have the join Vision drawn up by Mr. Von der Schulenburg. Without these overall strategies, peacekeeping efforts can lack coordination and risk duplicating effort in support of some priorities, while neglecting others. In our View, to make this work in practice, we need five things. First, we need a clear understanding from the outset of the outcome we seek from the peacekeeping operation. The overall objective should be to help create the conditions for a peace process to prosper. The Council needs to get better at defining what that success will look like in each individual case. As Mr.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“Peacebuilding is the objective at the outset, and a peacekeeping operation is often important but only a part of achieving that objective. Thus, peacekeeping and peacebuilding must form part of a single, comprehensive and integrated plan. And that plan should have a political settlement at its heart. As all three Special Representatives have stated, it should unite the efforts of all United Nations actors and the broad international community, and it should strengthen national capacity. All actors must understand the overall objective and their role in contributing to it. Ms. Loj has worked hard to ensure that we have such a strategy in Liberia under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“We have heard today about how this is an essential challenge to three important United Nations mission - in Sierra Leone, where a series of successful transitions have taken us from a peacekeeping operation to an integrated peacebuilding mission; in Liberia, which has begun the process of drawdown and transition; and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the forthcoming strategic review will be an important opportunity to set a new course for peace consolidation. I have one strategic point and five practical suggestions to make. The strategic point is that transition - as Ms. Loj explained - is not about a linear progression from one kind of activity - peacekeeping - to another - peacebuilding.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“I thank you, Sir, for instigating this important debate today. I also thank the Secretary-General, the Under- Secretaries-General and the Special Representatives for their important remarks and for bringing their expertise to the Council. We have been looking at peacekeeping issues in a more systematic way for over a year now, and we have made some progress in this Council, but today's speakers have identified an issue that goes to the heart of the Council's role in peacekeeping, which is how the United Nations presence should evolve to support a country's progress from conflict through post-conflict to peace consolidation.”
2010-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6270 (2010) · source
“But the current favourable international context will not last forever, and the alternative to a two-State solution is continuing conflict and suffering. Now is the time for leaders on both sides to rise above domestic politics and make the difficult choices, sacrifices and compromises that are required to secure an historic peace agreement.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“That includes an immediate end to indiscriminate and - as the Assistant Secretary- General has said - increasing rocket attacks that threaten the people of southern Israel, as well as the means by which those rockets are supplied. As we have stated before, achieving peace in the Middle East is a difficult and daunting task, but there exists right now a precious opportunity to secure that peace. The United States Administration is actively pursuing a settlement. There is broad international convergence on the parameters of a settlement, and the two leaders claim to want a negotiated settlement. We understand the pressures of domestic politics on both sides, which can lead to entrenched positions and make resuming and finalizing negotiations difficult.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“Failure to do so merely encourages increased traffic through the tunnels, provides funding to Hamas, makes the task of detecting and curbing the flow of weapons more difficult and generates greater anger, resentment and, ultimately, radicalization of Gazans. The combination of a more radical population and an increased likelihood of an inflow of illicit weapons will inevitably lead to violence. We believe it is in Israel's own security interests to ease these restrictions. But Hamas also bears a heavy responsibility for the situation of innocent Gazans. Hamas must release Gilad Shalit immediately and renounce once and for all its use of violence.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“The United Kingdom is providing practical support to alleviate their humanitarian suffering, but there can be no real improvement as long as there remain restrictions on the flow into Gaza of materials essential for reconstruction. We have heard here today that there has yet to be a satisfactory Israeli response to the United Nations attempts to restart long-standing reconstruction proposals. We urge Israel to remove restrictions on the import of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials, as required by Security Council resolution 1860 (2009), which this Council adopted over a year ago.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“The United Kingdom will continue to provide strong political and financial support for those efforts, which are delivering real change on the streets of West Bank towns. We encourage others to do the same. The prospects for statehood are undermined by divided Palestinian leadership, so we urge Hamas to unite behind the legitimate Palestinian Authority. In Gaza, the outlook is dire. We remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation there. Although, as Mr. Fernandez-Taranco has reported, there has been a slight easing of restrictions on certain goods - notably glass - continued restrictions are having a damaging impact on the lives of people in Gaza.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“With this in mind, and while we recognize the recent moratorium on some building in West Bank settlements, we remain extremely concerned by announcements last month by the Israeli authorities of plans for further settlement expansion in East Jerusalem. These settlements are illegal. They prejudge negotiations and are counterproductive as far as Israel's security is concerned and are therefore an obstacle to peace. We call on Israel to stop creating new facts on the ground, which can only make a negotiated peace deal harder to achieve. As for the Palestinians, a well-functioning State is an essential element of any future settlement. Therefore we support the ambitious two-year plan to develop the institutions of a Palestinian State and to prepare for statehood.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“Active Arab engagement, building on the important Arab Peace Initiative, can play a crucial role in creating an atmosphere in the region that is conducive to peace. Both Israel and the Palestinians must redouble their efforts and avoid a hardening of positions and provocative actions. The parameters of peace are well- known: two States with an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel, Jerusalem as the capital for both States, and a just settlement for refugees. Such an agreement is the only sustainable way to meet the national aspirations of the two peoples. If a lasting peace is to be achieved, a way must be found for Jerusalem to be shared as the capital of both States.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“We hope that his current efforts will lead to early progress. Recent tensions in and around Jerusalem only remind us of the consequences of failure, and we call on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions which prejudice long-term agreed solutions. The alternative to progress is not the status quo; it is further deterioration and violence. The parties should recognize that a comprehensive peace can be achieved only through meaningful negotiations, and take all the steps necessary to enter into those negotiations. The United States is not and should not be alone in this task. The other members of the Quartet are also playing an important role. The European Union stands ready to contribute both politically and practically to a final settlement.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco for his sober and realistic briefing this morning. Peace in the Middle East is a key objective of the United Kingdom, the European Union and the international community as a whole. We want to see an end to suffering on both sides, but it is also crucial because it resonates around the world and often stands as a symbol of the international community's failure to act, feeding resentment, fostering hatred and encouraging extremists. Over a year after the Gaza conflict, meaningful peace negotiations must restart as soon as possible if hope is to take the place of continued frustration. We continue to fully support the efforts of the United States Administration, and especially Senator George Mitchell, to bring the parties to the negotiating table.”
2010-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6265 (2010) · source
“The United Kingdom remains committed to working with Kosovo, Serbia and the wider international community in promoting stability, reconciliation, regional cooperation and economic progress, so that Kosovo can advance towards an EU perspective in parallel with its neighbours.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source
“Citizens should pay a fair price for their electricity, and the money should go to whoever supplies it. There is no need for any politics in that. A growing number of United Nations Member States- now 65 - have recognized Kosovo. That demonstrates growing international confidence in Kosovo's statehood. Kosovo has made irreversible progress since its declaration of independence, becoming a viable independent State with broad EU support for European integration. It will be important that, following the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion, Kosovo and Serbia focus on making progress towards reconciliation and regional stability. We urge all sides to take practical steps towards further cooperation and to engage flexibly and constructively to the benefit of the citizens of the whole territory of Kosovo.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source
“That is the key to regional stability. Equally, we welcome Serbia's application for European Union membership. We encourage Serbia to devote its full resources to making progress along that path. Continued disagreement over status issues will only serve as a distraction from achieving that important strategic objective. We strongly support the Secretary-General's call for both Kosovo and Serbia to put status issues aside and pursue greater practical cooperation, to the benefit of all communities, on a wide range of issues such as cultural heritage, energy, customs and justice. Constructive cooperation with the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) forms an essential part of that. For example, there has been unwelcome politicization of the electricity supply in Kosovo, particularly in the north.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source
“Kosovo Serbs, and their friends in the international community, should recognize the practical benefits of decentralization, in particular the local representation, which brings funding and facilities for the benefit of all communities. To consolidate recent progress, Kosovo must now work to improve standards in governance and the rule of law. Serious challenges in the areas of human rights and judicial independence - which were highlighted in both the latest Secretary-General's report and the European Commission progress report - must be addressed. Kosovo's European perspective, in line with that of its neighbours, offers clear incentives for further reform. Kosovo, with the support of the international community, must strive to match the progress towards European integration being made by its neighbours.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source
“That cooperation benefits all Kosovo's citizens and is not connected to the issue of Kosovo's status. Nevertheless, it is important to keep UNMIK's resources under close review and ensure that they are commensurate with the size of its responsibilities. The success of November's local elections across Kosovo's communities has demonstrated the importance of decentralization to the people of Kosovo, a desire to take more direct control of their future. We commend the Kosovo Government for its commitment to decentralization, which is essential to delivering effective local governance and a more stable, multi-ethnic society. We call on the Kosovo Government and local authorities to take the necessary steps to further deliver minority rights throughout Kosovo, particularly in those municipalities that have still to hold elections.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source
“We particularly welcome the fact that in the Secretary-General's assessment, violence against minorities and inter-ethnic conflict have decreased throughout the reporting period. Kosovo's recently agreed border demarcation with Macedonia bodes well for regional relations and stability. We welcome the continued cooperation that exists between the United Nations and the European Union (EU) on Kosovo. This period has seen the EU successfully consolidate its role as the principal international organization supporting the development of the rule of law and governance standards in Kosovo. Kosovo's future, like that of the wider region, lies in closer European integration. We welcome the improved relations between UNMIK and the Kosovo Government.”
2010-01-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6264 (2010) · source