YouSaid · the spoken record

Mayr-Harting

lines on the record: 1,537
first: 2008-12-09
most recent: 2015-10-08
sittings or episodes: 180
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

“Since the last briefing on 18 June 2010 (see S/PV.6342), the Working Group has continued to meet on a regular basis, and it has held 14 meetings. The latest meeting with the Presidents, Prosecutors and Registrars of both Tribunals took place on 1 December. The members of the Group have also continued the informal dialogue with affected countries of the Tribunals. In particular, they had several meetings with representatives of Rwanda regarding a proposal to invite international judges to sit in Rwandan courts to hear cases transferred by the ICTR. During the past six months, the Working Group has made important progress and is now close to finishing its discussions on a draft resolution on the establishment of an international residual mechanism for the criminal tribunals.”
2010-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6434 (2010) · source
“Let me first of all congratulate you, Madam President, and the United States on assuming the presidency of the Council for the month of December. I would also like to thank the United Kingdom for the leadership that it showed in the month of November. At the outset, I would like to thank the Presidents and Prosecutors of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for their briefings. In my statement today, I will first give an update on the activities of the Security Council Informal Working Group on International Tribunals, which Austria has the honour to chair. Subsequently, I would like to make some very brief remarks in my national capacity.”
2010-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6434 (2010) · source
“While our membership of the Security Council comes to an end next month, let me assure you, Mr. President, that my country will remain strongly committed to the subject of today's debate. In this context we are very much encouraged by the continuing strong interest of the membership of the United Nations in issues regarding protection of civilians, as is demonstrated by the broad attendance at today's debate. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with interested Member States and the Secretariat to further strengthen the protection of civilians in conflicts around the globe.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We are further looking forward to receiving the guidance for peacekeeping and other relevant missions on the reporting of protection of civilians that was requested in resolution 1894 (2009). We are encouraged by the fact that the Secretary- General's report has noted a change in the way and extent to which protection is addressed in Council resolutions, including in the mandates of peacekeeping operations. We are convinced that the briefings received and our discussions in the Expert Group, as well as the use of the aide-memoire (see S/PRST/2009/ 1), have significantly contributed to this more consistent approach on the part of the Security Council. Let me express my gratitude to OCHA for undertaking the work to update the aide-memoire, which has been adopted in conjunction with the presidential statement today.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We welcome the reference contained in the presidential statement on the need to find durable solutions to issues concerning internally displaced persons and refugees, and we hope for a more systematic consideration of that issue in relevant Council debates and resolutions. More systematic and comprehensive reporting on protection issues in the Secretary-General's country-specific reports will enhance the consistency of the Council's actions regarding the protection of civilians. Following the example of resolution 1325 (2000), this is another area where we believe that indicators would be useful and that they should be developed by the Secretariat. That will allow the Council to assess the effectiveness of its own policies and measures.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We expect the upcoming report of the Secretary-General on sexual violence to contain bold recommendations for improving our response, and we hope that the Security Council will be able to adopt a substantive outcome next month. We share the concern of the Secretary-General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, particularly when used in densely populated areas, and I am grateful for the very clear words of Under- Secretary-General Amos on this subject. On 16 September, Austria, together with OCHA, hosted a panel discussion on that subject that clearly demonstrated the need for more systematic data and analysis. We hope the Council will become actively engaged on that important emerging subject.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Given the gravity and number of existing allegations, the recent arrests of commanders allegedly responsible for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are but a welcome start. The Council must ensure respect for its resolutions and take vigorous measures against perpetrators, including through the establishment of commissions of inquiry, referrals to the International Criminal Court and the imposition of targeted measures. Mass rapes in Kibua in Eastern Congo in July and August this year have demonstrated the massive challenges we still face in preventing and responding to such atrocious crimes. As the presidential statement rightly underlines, peacekeeping missions must communicate with the local communities and must be equipped with the necessary capacities to do so.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We also strongly support the Secretariat in its endeavour to further improve predeployment and in-mission training on the protection of civilians. That initiative needs to be accompanied by national and international efforts. Host countries and the Council should come to a common understanding that our decisions to draw down missions or adapt mandates are conditioned on the achievement of clear benchmarks, including in relation to the protection of civilians. The establishment of a mechanism to measure and report on progress against such benchmarks would be very important, and we think that the experience gained in that context in the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad is useful and should be followed up.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Today's debate is an important opportunity for my delegation to take stock of our common efforts in an area that has been at the core of my country's own engagement in the Council. The latest report by the Secretary-General (S/2010/579) provides us with an excellent basis for our discussion. While we share the Secretary-General's assessment that more needs to be done to meet the five core challenges, we are also encouraged by the progress made over the past year in implementing resolution 1894 (2009). I would like to thank the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for their consistent work and support. We particularly welcome the draft operational concept on the protection of civilians, as well as the envisaged strategic framework.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“Let me thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate and for the strong interest and support your country has traditionally given to today's topic. I would like to also thank you for bringing about a very substantive presidential statement, which has our full support. We would like to welcome Under-Secretaries- General Amos and Le Roy and thank them for their briefings. We are also pleased that High Commissioner Pillay is here with us again today. This is the third time running that she is participating in a debate on the protection of civilians, and we very much hope that this tradition will be continued. Finally, let me also thank Mr. Daccord for his intervention.”
2010-11-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6427 (2010) · source
“We have succeeded in improving it substantially during the past two years, but I think efforts to further improve it will continue.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The adaptation of the periodic review procedure would in fact then have the same effect as the introduction of a time limit or sunset clause for the listings and would put an end to the recurring question of whether the sanctions regime is of a punitive or preventive nature. I am confident that the Security Council and the Committee will continue to actively follow the developments and will continue to look for answers to the concerns raised. The upcoming resolution to extend the mandates of the Monitoring Team and the Ombudsperson in June 2011 will provide the next opportunity for the Security Council to take further steps in that important matter. This is a living process, a living regime that has been adapted continuously.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“While some country regimes, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are renewed annually, many targeted sanctions measures - including Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and others - are open-ended. However, in the 1267 regime the concerns regarding the open-ended nature of the measures are considerably mitigated by the reviews pursuant to resolutions 1822 (2008) and 1904 (2009), which I outlined earlier. At least every three years each name is thoroughly reviewed by the Committee and, as I pointed out, in some cases more that once, twice or even three times. If the procedure - and this is again a personal suggestion I would like to make - of those triennial reviews were changed to require a positive reconfirmation of each list entry under review, many of the concerns I mentioned would be satisfied.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“It is also interesting to note that in some instances, such as the granting of humanitarian exemptions pursuant to resolution 1452 (2002), the Committee already takes decisions by so-called negative consensus. That means that the consensus principle has been reversed by requiring the Committee to take a negative decision by consensus. Finally, the 1267 sanctions regime regarding Al-Qaida and the Taliban has also been criticized recently in the sense that it was no longer a temporary emergency measure to address a specific threat, but an open-ended measure that was not limited in time or space. It is interesting to note that the Security Council has not adopted a consistent approach in this regard.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“While it is true that the consensus rule applies to decisions of all sanctions committees of the Security Council, it is often overlooked that paragraph 4(a) of the Committee Guidelines expressly provides that if, after consultations undertaken by the Chairman, "consensus still cannot by reached, the matter may be submitted to the Security Council". Thus, even under the current procedures, any de-listing request may be submitted to the Security Council for review and subsequent decision by majority rule pursuant to Article 27 of the Charter. I personally believe - and this is my strong personal view - that it would not be a revolutionary step to adopt the same decision-making procedure - majority voting - for de-listing decisions of the Committee as well.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Important progress has been achieved over the past two years to strengthen due process in the internal procedures and working methods of the Committee. As regards the Committee's decision-making, I have clearly gained some experience with the principle of consensus that exists within the Committee. I would thus like to share some thoughts on that principle with the Council, as the principle of consensus has been criticized as giving designating States a right to veto any de-listing request. It is obvious that that is perhaps a rather far-reaching statement, since only a designating State that is a member of the Security Council can participate in decision-making.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The Council will remember that there was a discussion at the time about whether the Ombudsperson would be given the possibility to present recommendations. Having seen Judge Prost, I feel that the Committee will attach full weight to her written reports, and in practice, the artificial distinction drawn between recommendations and observations might very well become irrelevant. Finally, given the fact that the Ombudsperson was appointed six months after the adoption of resolution 1904 (2009), I would be very pleased to see Judge Prost's mandate continue next year. I therefore believe that the Council should consider extending her mandate and also extend the mandate of the Ombudsperson to other sanctions regimes, because the creation of the function was an important first step that will also be beneficial for all sanctions regimes.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“This basically means that in the future, in more complex cases, the Committee will in fact review some names up to three times, in three separate reviews, and that in itself is a positive development. In addition, the Committee recently agreed to conduct a specific review of entities that have ceased to exist, which is in fact a further step beyond what is provided for in resolution 1904 (2009). I have already referred to the appointment of Judge Kimberly Prost as Ombudsperson, which was an important and significant step. I feel very strongly that we should give Judge Prost, who is a remarkable person, the time to show her merit. I would like to note that she has just started working on her first cases, and I reiterate the importance of Member States fully cooperating with her and providing her with all relevant information.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“It was the first time ever that a sanctions committee conducted such a thorough review. I have already given the numbers: 488 names were carefully scrutinized and 45 entries were deleted, and some 60 de-listing requests are still pending. About 270 list entries - and I think this is also important - that were added in 2001 have been reviewed for the very first time since they were listed. However, despite those efforts a number of problematic entries, such as deceased people, defunct entities and entries lacking identifying information, remain on the list. I have already referred to the additional reviews that were introduced by resolution 1904 (2009) - a review of deceased persons, a review of entries that lack identifiers and the triennial comprehensive review of each name on the list.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Before closing this formal part of my statement, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the Monitoring Team, the Secretariat and the Committee members for their invaluable contribution in coping with the enormous work challenges during the last two years. I have now come to the end of the text that I was asked to present in the name of the Committee. I would like to make just a few comments, as you suggested, Mr. President, in my personal capacity after having nearly terminated two years of work at the head of the Committee. I wish to underline that these comments oblige only me and do not represent agreed positions by the Committee. The Committee's comprehensive review was - and this is my personal conviction - a groundbreaking and unprecedented step.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The high level of engagement of Member States, for example during the review, suggests that they continue to share the Security Council's concern that there should be a coordinated international response to the threat posed by Al-Qaida and the Taliban. It is therefore important that the Committee continue to engage in dialogue to find appropriate ways and means to respond to those challenges. As I have highlighted several times, improving the procedures will make the regime stronger and therefore a more effective tool in the fight against terrorism. The Committee should remain on this track. Significant improvements to ensure fair and clear procedures have already been achieved, and that process will hopefully be continued in future.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Over the past two years, the Committee has experienced growing criticism by States, individuals and courts because of procedural and human rights concerns. National parliaments, national and regional courts and civil society as well as international bodies, including United Nations bodies, have pointed out shortcomings of the 1267 sanctions regime. The Committee and the Security Council have listened to those voices and have taken important steps to address many of those concerns in resolutions 1822 (2008) and 1904 (2009). The Committee has also strengthened fair and clear procedures by revising its guidelines and internal methods accordingly, and that has not gone unnoticed. However, the recent judgment of the European General Court in the case of Kadi II and other court cases show that challenges remain.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The Ombudsperson has kept the Committee informed of developments in all cases before her, in accordance with resolution 1904 (2009). I would like to underline the importance of permitting the Ombudsperson to fulfil her mandate without interference and in an impartial and independent manner. Regarding updates on the status of the Consolidated List, the narrative summaries of reasons for listing and outreach activities by the Monitoring Team and the Committee, I refer to the more comprehensive version of my statement. In concluding my remarks as Chairman of the Committee in the name of the Committee, I would like to remind the Council that in a previous meeting I already mentioned the challenges the 1267 sanctions regime has been facing (see S/PV.6310).”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“I would like also to highlight the new procedures for matters that are pending and were placed on hold after 17 December 2009. As called for in resolution 1904 (2009), the Committee adopted revised guidelines on the conduct of its work, which bring those new improvements into the Committee's practice and also introduce a new procedure for such pending issues. The procedure foresees regular updates by Committee members on the status of resolving such matters and introduced detailed rules for the time limit. The most significant step in resolution 1904 (2009) was the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson to assist the Committee when considering de-listing requests. On 3 June 2010, the Secretary-General appointed Judge Kimberly Prost as Ombudsperson. Since her appointment, the Ombudsperson has swiftly commenced her important work.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“In that connection, I would like to mention that the Committee recently discussed a recommendation by the Monitoring Team to clarify the process by which Member States need to submit the necessary information to the Committee certifying the death of the individual. The Committee will soon be in a position to inform Member States about those requirements and procedures. 10-6374] As a further attempt to improve the quality of the List, the Committee is currently also discussing the issue of entities that have ceased to exist and is considering a review of that matter. Finally, the Security Council also directed the Committee to review all matters that were pending or on hold as of 17 December 2009. The Committee has commenced that review for the 23 items that fall within its scope.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Prior to the review, there was only one single case of the removal of a deceased person from the Consolidated List. At the conclusion of the review, eight additional deceased persons had been removed from the List: two names associated with the Taliban and six names associated with Al-Qaida. However, there remains a considerable number of deceased persons on the List, which is why the Committee will conduct a specific review of deceased persons in accordance with paragraph 26 of resolution 1904 (2009). The Committee will soon be preparing the modalities of that review, which will be conducted in the upcoming months.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The comprehensive review set the standards for future additional reviews introduced by resolution 1904 (2009), namely for listed persons who are reportedly deceased, for entries that lack identifiers for effective implementation and for names on the Consolidated List which have not been reviewed in three or more years. Such reviews represent an important step in making the Consolidated List a more dynamic document that responds better to the evolving and continued threat, and that is more up to date and contains the most complete and accurate information possible on the identity and whereabouts of listed parties in order to enable Member States to effectively implement the three sanctions measures that apply to them. During the course of the comprehensive review, the Committee also addressed the issue of deceased persons on the List.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“In a similar vein, the Committee reiterates its standing invitation to Member States to attend Committee meetings to discuss relevant issues. We recently discussed a new approach to invite Member States to take a more active part in forthcoming reviews. The Monitoring Team produced a report on the conduct and the results of the comprehensive review, including a set of valuable recommendations. The Committee is currently concluding its consideration of the report and the recommendations contained therein and will shortly submit its position to the Security Council.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The Committee concluded its review on 29 July, after the Security Council extended the review period by one month. On 29 July, I also gave an open briefing to all Member States on the results of the review. I will therefore only briefly recapitulate the main results, which I consider quite impressive. Of the 488 names reviewed, the Committee found that the listings remained appropriate for 443, and removed 45 names from the list. In addition, de-listing requests submitted for 58 names in the course of the review remain under the consideration of the Committee. The review demonstrated that the Committee relies heavily on the cooperation of Member States, for which we were grateful. I am confident that the high level of engagement has contributed to a better understanding of the Committee's work.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Again, as you requested, Mr. President, I shall abbreviate my text and read out what I consider to be the most important elements. The rest will be circulated among colleagues. Since I last briefed the Council in May 2010 (see S/PV.6310), there have been a number of significant developments in the work of the Committee and the sanctions regime it is tasked to oversee. I therefore welcome this opportunity to update the Council. The review process, which was the first of its kind conducted by a United Nations sanctions committee, has been the main focus of the Committee's work over the past two years. It has served as an important function both in improving the quality of the consolidated list and in advancing the overall credibility and transparency of the Committee.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Ambassador Apakan, Ambassador Heller and I have prepared some personal observations on the aspects of cooperation based on our experience as Chairmen of these three Committees. Given the limited amount of time available, I will also not read out those observations. However, copies will be distributed in the Chamber. Nevertheless, we hope that those observations will find interested readers, in particular as the upcoming mandate renewal of CTED at the end 3 of this year could be the next opportunity for the Security Council to provide further guidance on these areas of common interest.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors continue to be a global threat to international peace and security that requires a global answer. Cooperation and coordination are therefore crucial elements in those efforts. The three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council and their respective expert groups are committed to continue to cooperate and to coordinate their work, within their respective mandates, in order to contribute to an effective and efficient approach within the overall United Nations framework, and within the broader efforts of the international community. We recently convened a meeting with representatives of the three Committee Chairmen and the three expert groups to exchange information about the status of ongoing cooperation and to explore further ways to enhance it.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“In that context, I would like to recall that in resolution 1904 (2009) and as recently reaffirmed in the presidential statement adopted on 27 September 2010 (S/PRST/2010/19), the Security Council reiterated the need to enhance ongoing cooperation among the three Committees and their respective expert groups and requested the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements for the groups to be co-located as soon as possible. In order to underline the importance of this matter, the three Chairmen recently wrote to the Secretary-General to draw his attention to that request by the Security Council. As the three expert groups are also members of the CTITF, the Task Force provides an additional framework within which the groups can further coordinate their activities and share information.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Moreover, the CTC invites the Monitoring Team, the 1540 Committee experts, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) and other relevant United Nations offices on a regular basis to meetings with international and regional organizations. The 1540 Committee working group on cooperation with 10-63741 international organizations has also invited the other two expert groups to meetings with international organizations. One point that I would like to refer to in greater detail is the issue of co-location. The co-location of the three expert groups would greatly contribute to enhanced cooperation and information exchange among them.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“In accordance with the needs expressed by Member States, the three expert groups have commenced exchanging information on the technical assistance needs of particular countries, with a View to furthering cooperation in that domain while bearing in mind the different mandates and roles of each Committee with regard to technical assistance. Information exchange is another important area of cooperation, which is also dealt with in greater detail in the joint report. In addition to outreach activities and internal exchange of information, the three expert groups continue regular meetings among the heads of each team, as well as at the expert level, in preparation for visits, workshops and other joint activities.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“Cooperation has increased with regard to the coordination of Visits to Member States and participation at relevant conferences, joint visits to States and participation in workshops organized by one of the expert groups or under the auspices of one of the Committees. The Committees continue to believe that those coordinated Visits and workshops are very important tools to enhance the dialogue with Member States, to help improve the understanding of the distinct although connected and complementary mandates of the three Committees and to assist Member States in the implementation of the relevant resolutions. As an important step in that regard, we welcome the recently finalized common strategy of the three expert groups to engage with international, regional and subregional organizations.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“The Committees welcome the continuing efforts of the expert groups regarding joint outreach activities, exchange of information and joint meetings, and encourage the groups to further enhance the coordination of those activities. 10-6374] On the occasion of previous briefings, a comparative table was issued to highlight the main aspects of the respective mandates and areas of competence of the three Committees. Today, in order to highlight the ongoing cooperation among the three expert groups, we also intend to distribute a table prepared by the groups. That table will also be posted on the respective websites. Cooperation is of the utmost importance when it comes to outreach and exchange with Member States and international organizations.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“On behalf of the Chairmen of the three subsidiary bodies of the Security Council, I would like to give an update on the continued cooperation among the Committees and their expert groups, as requested by the Council in recent resolutions pertaining to the three Committees. I will also give an abbreviated version of this joint report and would refer members of the Council to the full text, which will also be circulated. The three Committees attach great importance to the coordination and cooperation among their expert groups - namely, the Monitoring Team, the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC) Executive Directorate (CTED) and the 1540 Committee experts.”
2010-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6424 (2010) · source
“That is a goal to which Austria has always been committed, and we stand ready to continue lend our support to that endeavour.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We are encouraged by signals from both sides showing their readiness to engage in a dialogue facilitated by the European Union on practical problems affecting the daily lives of people from both ethnic backgrounds living in Kosovo. I was also encouraged by what I heard from Foreign Minister Jeremie on this subject and pleased that Deputy Foreign Minister Citaku told us about the Government of Kosovo getting ready to participate in this process. This is an important opportunity to promote cooperation, to achieve progress, as the resolution says, on the path to the European Union, and to improve the lives of the people. We hope for an early launch of this dialogue, which can contribute to creating the conditions for a shared future within the European Union.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We hope that those elections will result in an encouraging signal for the future of all inhabitants of Kosovo. We appeal to both Kosovo and Serbia to exercise pragmatism and self-restraint in order to make the elections a success and to avoid increased tensions, particularly in the north. Austria welcomes the unanimous adoption by the General Assembly, on 9 September, of a resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice delivered on 22 July (resolution 64/298). We welcome, in particular, that that resolution was based on agreement between Serbia and the European Union. As others have already said, there is general agreement, as we have seen in the General Assembly, on the role of the European Union in facilitating a process of dialogue between the parties.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We welcome the efforts undertaken by EULEX in that regard. Austria would also like to highlight the valuable contributions made by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo in the monitoring, protection and promotion of human rights, including community rights, as well as the Mission's endeavours to improve conditions for the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. Likewise, Austria commends the OSCE Mission in Kosovo for the continuous support to the development of democratic institutions, such as the assistance offered to the Central Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Subcommission. We hope that all ethnic groups in Kosovo will actively participate in the upcoming elections in December, as they will be decisive for the future of Kosovo.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“As it was pointed out in the recent progress report of the European Commission, many challenges persist. Improving governance and the rule of law in Kosovo, for example, is essential, as are steps to fight corruption and impunity. We commend the efforts by the Government of Kosovo towards those ends. In order to make further progress and consolidate the gains made so far, it is important for the international community to remain engaged in Kosovo and to assist the local authorities by sharing expertise and resources. Kosovo must remain committed to carrying out the necessary reforms. Stability, security, the rule of law and governance are fundamental pillars for all of Kosovo's communities. In that respect, Austria encourages all sides to reach an agreement on a multi-ethnic court in Mitrovica and on customs arrangements in the north.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“It is our firm conviction that the gradual integration of the north into the rest of Kosovo would be beneficial to all its inhabitants. At the same time, we are convinced that that goal will be achieved only through dialogue. Austria calls on all sides to exercise restraint, to adopt a constructive and pragmatic approach and to actively engage with the international presence, including in northern Kosovo, in order to avoid further violence and tension. Kosovo police, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and the Kosovo Force (KFOR) have again demonstrated effective cooperation and have succeeded in tackling violence and ensuring stability. Austria continues to fully support the important work of the KFOR and EULEX and will continue to keep up its commitment in both these missions.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“I would like to welcome Mr. Vuk Jeremie, Foreign Minister of Serbia, and Mrs. Vlora Citaku, Acting Foreign Minister of Kosovo, and thank them for their statements. I also thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, for his presentation of the report before us (S/2010/562). We very much appreciate the work the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) is doing to promote dialogue and cooperation among all parties in order to promote stability and reconciliation. Austria welcomes the fact that the security situation in Kosovo has been largely calm during the reporting period. However, we have again witnessed how recent developments have managed to increase political tensions in northern Kosovo and have in some instances triggered isolated acts of violence.”
2010-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6422 (2010) · source
“We encourage the political leaders of the country to put Bosnia and Herzegovina firmly on the way towards the European Union and, in doing so, they can count on our support.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“The recent high-level visits by the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, and Commissioner Fiile underline the unequivocal commitment of the European Union to the European perspective for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union's preparedness to assume the leading role in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future. Members of the Council know how strongly my own country is committed to these aspirations and goals. The Treaty of Lisbon has given the European Union more effective policy tools from which Bosnia and Herzegovina will also benefit, for example in the form of a strengthened European Union presence in the country. Fifteen years after the signature of the Dayton and Paris Peace Agreements, Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens deserve a qualitative step forward for their country on the path towards European integration.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“In October, the European Union Foreign Affairs Council again confirmed the readiness of the European Union to continue the European Union Force Althea with an executive military role beyond 2010 under a renewed United Nations mandate, and we look forward to next week's adoption of the resolution extending the authorization. The operation has started to provide non-executive capacity-building and training support, thus contributing to strengthened local ownership and capacity. Austria will continue its commitment as a troop contributor to the operation. With a mandate extended until the end of 2011, the European Union Police Mission has focused specifically on fighting organized crime and corruption as part of an overall effort to entrench the rule of law in the country.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“At the same time, we hope that the Constitution will be adjusted and that future elections will be open to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the European Convention for Human Rights and its Protocol No. 12. We call on all political parties to end the use of divisive and nationalistic rhetoric. Here, I have to say, we specifically share the concerns expressed by the High Representative. Instead, a functional and effective State-level Government needs to be formed urgently to tackle the many outstanding reform issues. The politicians of Bosnia and Herzegovina will, we hope, work together to make further progress on the country's path towards the European Union and to fulfil the 5+2 criteria set forth by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council for the closure of the Office of the High Representative.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source
“Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to increase the functionality and effectiveness of its State institutions and to continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, although we have taken note of the overall positive evaluation by Mr. Brammertz in this regard. Failure to implement the conditions on immovable military property has also delayed the implementation of the NATO Membership Action Plan. As an example of the capability of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are encouraged by the professional handling of general elections by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the assessment that the elections were generally held in line with international standards.”
2010-11-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6421 (2010) · source