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

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“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 and of their expert groups. That table has served as a useful tool for Member States, and it has helped them to better understand the specificities and complementarities of our work. An updated version of the table is available today. 3 Terrorism and proliferation continue to be a daily reality and a threat to international peace and security, faced equally by States and individuals alike. Cooperation is therefore a crucial element in the efforts to counter the threat of terrorism, including that from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons for terrorist purposes.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Moreover, when CTC organizes briefings in the framework of its official meetings, the Monitoring Team and the Expert Group of the 1540 Committee are also invited to participate. Finally, the three Committees and their Chairmen have worked to enhance their cooperation. To this end, we recently organized an informal exchange of views among the Chairmen of the three Committees. I would like to note that the 1540 Committee adopted the topic of "Enhancing ongoing cooperation between the 1540 Committee and other international organizations, including the 1267 Committee and CTC" in its programme of work for 2009. For this purpose, it recently established a working group on cooperation in order to promote information sharing, coordination on country visits and workshops, technical assistance and other issues of relevance to all three Committees.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“They attend periodic meetings with Pacific Islands Forum missions to the United Nations in New York on the implementation of the resolutions. The three expert groups also continue to work together on risk management and border security issues. The three expert groups also continue to contribute to and coordinate their work within the framework of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, which was established to ensure overall coordination and coherence in the counter-terrorism efforts of the United Nations system and to help implement the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. In addition to the aforementioned activities, there are regular meetings of the expert groups in New York.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“In addition, the three expert groups also share their reports on their visits whenever possible. The most recent visit to Uganda was the twelfth joint trip of CTED with the Monitoring Team to a Member State, and more joint visits are envisaged later this year. The three expert groups also jointly participated in a regional ministerial meeting on organized crime and terrorism, organized by UNODC in the Dominican Republic in February, and a subregional workshop organized by UNODC and the Organization for 09-34898 Security and Cooperation in Europe in Bucharest at the beginning of April. The expert groups also cooperate on issues regarding the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions by States of the Pacific Islands Forum.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“The objectives of this new strategy are to increase coherence and coordination in the counter-terrorism efforts of the three Committees in their relations with such bodies and to facilitate the Iatter's efforts to cooperate with the expert groups of the three Committees. The three Committees welcome the presentation of a second common strategy as further evidence of the close working relationship between the three expert groups, and are currently considering their joint proposal. The expert groups continue to coordinate their visits to Member States and participation at relevant conferences. CTED and the Monitoring Team also exchange their schedules of visits to explore whether these could be conducted jointly. When an expert group does not participate in a visit, they exchange information on the Member State that is to be visited.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“The Committees believe that such workshops and interactive discussions with officials from capitals are very important tools to enhance the cooperation between the three Committees, and Member States, to help improve the understanding of the distinct though connected mandates of the three Committees, and to assist Member States in the implementation of the relevant resolutions. In response to Security Council resolutions 1805 (2008), 1810 (2008) and 1822 (2008), the three expert groups recently presented another common strategy to engage with international, regional and subregional organizations, entities and agencies.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“This was organized in cooperation with the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. Similar workshops are being planned for Member States in Asia, including the Pacific countries, 09-34898 the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean region. In addition to these workshops, the three expert groups are exploring the use of common video conferences. These would be conducted from New York, interacting with officials in the capitals of Member States - for example, as took place with officials from the Central African Republic on 11 May - in order to receive further information and updates on the status of implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“In this context, I would also like to recall that the cooperation and coordination would be facilitated by the co-location of the experts in the framework of the Capital Master Plan. The three expert groups continued to implement the common strategy on dealing with non- and late- reporting States through exchange of information and joint visits, when appropriate, and in assisting Member States in submitting their responses to the three Committees on their implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions. In particular, the three expert groups completed a series of three workshops on reporting for African States by holding a workshop in Kenya, from 11 to 13 November 2008, for North and East African States.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“The three Committees attach great importance to the coordination of the activities of and cooperation among their expert groups, namely the Monitoring Team, the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) and the Expert Group of the 1540 Committee. The Committees welcome the continuing efforts of the expert groups to develop common strategies on areas of common concern, to organize joint workshops, to coordinate their participation in conferences and joint country visits and to exchange information on their activities. The Committees encourage their expert groups to further enhance their exchange of information and coordination with regard to capacity- building, assistance requests and delivery of technical assistance activities.”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“On behalf of the Chairmen of the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004), which deal with the issue of terrorism, I would like to give an update on the continued cooperation among the three Committees and their experts groups. During the past six months, the sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) on Al-Qaida and Taliban, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and their respective experts groups have increased their cooperation as requested by the Security Council in recent resolutions pertaining to the three Committees, notably in resolutions 1805 (2008), 1810 (2008) and 1822 (2008).”
2009-05-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6128 (2009) · source
“Austria reaffirms its full support for the Mission and would appreciate it if the Secretary-General could include in his next report an assessment of the impact of the current crisis on the implementation of the peace process as well as the consequences for the United Nations presence on the ground, in particular in view of a possible prolongation of the mandate.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“We concur with the Secretary-General's view that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Nepal can continue to play an important positive role, not only in capacity-building for national human rights institutions, but in maintaining the confidence of all stakeholders in the peace process. We therefore hope that the presence of the office will be extended by the Nepalese authorities. In View of the difficult current situation and the remaining challenges of the peace process, we encourage all involved in Nepal to take advantage of the expertise of the United Nations Mission in Nepal in supporting the peace process.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“We were encouraged by steps taken by the Nepalese Government to establish accountability for past violations through the development of transitional justice mechanisms. We wish to stress the need for any such mechanism to pay particular attention to the experiences of women and children during the conflict, and we encourage the Nepalese Government to continue its cooperation with the United Nations Development Fund for Women in order to include gender aspects in the transitional justice process, an effort which receives Austrian support.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Radhika Coomaraswamy, in December 2008 that the discharge and rehabilitation of minors would proceed without further delay. We also believe that this task should be carried out in a transparent manner, in conformity with international standards and in close consultation and cooperation with the United Nations. The proliferation of militant youth wings affiliated with political groups is another concern in this context. I also wish to stress the importance of the fight against impunity. During her official visit to Nepal in March of this year, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay, warned that Nepal's peace process could be at risk unless justice is ensured for the victims of past and ongoing human rights abuses.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“We appeal to all the parties concerned to adhere to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and all related agreements and encourage them to resume their work as soon as possible. In this context, we are also concerned about the fact that the discharge from the Maoist army cantonments of nearly 3,000 Maoist army personnel disqualified as minors will now be further delayed. We learned with great appreciation that talks on the modalities of this discharge had started and that preparations were under way prior to the current impasse. There is a need for all stakeholders to ensure that these steps have not been in vain and will lead to a swift implementation of the assurances given to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Reaching agreement on the form of governance and a federal structure for the country is clearly a challenge that bears great significance for Nepal's future. As I said on an earlier occasion, as a country that has specific expertise in these matters, Austria is prepared to offer support and expertise. Progress had also been made on disarmament and demobilization, in particular with regard to the issue of the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel. It is very unfortunate that, in spite of the declared determination and the efforts shown by the political parties in Nepal to work together in a constructive manner in the framework of the Special Committee and the Technical Committee, this issue now seems to be at the core of the current crisis.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“It is of great importance for all parties in Nepal to exercise restraint and to re-engage in a cooperative and inclusive political dialogue with the aim of overcoming the current impasse. In particular, we hope for the expeditious formation of a stable Government that enjoys the widest possible consensus. It is the responsibility of all Nepalese stakeholders to ensure that the peace process, which had finally seen promising progress in recent months, does not lose its momentum once again. Let me add that Austria was indeed encouraged by the positive developments in the peace process that had taken place over the first three months of this year, including progress made on the process of drafting a constitution. We wish a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Nepal.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“First of all, Sir, let me congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of May. We look forward to close cooperation with you. I should also like to thank Ambassador Heller of Mexico for his presidency last month, under truly challenging circumstances. I wish to thank Ms. Karin Landgren, Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal, for her comprehensive briefing and, especially, for the update she gave us on ongoing developments. Austria shares the serious concern expressed by other speakers about the current political crisis in Nepal. The dispute between Prime Minister and the Nepal Army, which was followed by the Prime Minister's decision to resign, has clearly aggravated the rift between political parties and deepened the existing atmosphere of mistrust.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Against this background, we believe that the populations in the territory and in the refugee camps would greatly benefit in their enjoyment of human rights from a new resolve by both parties in the negotiation process. A continuous and constructive dialogue with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as suggested by the Secretary-General could help the parties to approach the issue of human rights protection and promotion from a confidence-building perspective.”
2009-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6117 (2009) · source
“Austria wholeheartedly supports the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another 12 months. It is very important, from our point of view, that the Council has been able to achieve unity in this matter, because resolution 1871 (2009) provides the Secretary- General and his Personal Envoy with the unanimous message of support by the Council that they need for their efforts to bring both parties back to the negotiating table as soon as possible. 5 In the field of human rights, Austria supports a results-oriented approach. Both parties have the obligation to ensure respect for the human rights of the people of Western Sahara.”
2009-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6117 (2009) · source
“You can rest assured, Madame President, that Austria remains committed to a more effective and efficient framework for the protection of children. We will continue to work with others in order to allow for a more balanced and credible response to the very real issues that children are confronted with on the ground.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“We also believe that the special situation of children with disabilities should be given thought. We fully support the view that resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1820 (2008) should be mutually reinforcing and that complementary processes for the documentation of and/or reporting on those resolutions should be explored. The participation of the United Nations Development Fund for Women and other relevant actors in United Nations country task forces is a positive step. It is significant that we have achieved some progress, important progress, during the negotiations in the past days, but we regret that the Council was not yet ready to take action on these pressing concerns. We have noted that the members of the Security Council are prepared to and will continue their considerations on this very important matter.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“It will be difficult to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of our work if the recruitment and use of child soldiers remain the only gateway to listing parties to armed conflict in the annexes to the Secretary- General's reports. We therefore support the Secretary- General's recommendation to add the crime of rape and grave sexual violence as an additional element to trigger the monitoring and reporting mechanism. We are also open to including the crime of killing and maiming of children in violation of applicable international law. Also, we welcome and encourage the ongoing efforts within the United Nations to devise a strategy to improve data collection and reporting on sexual violence. We must ensure an effective response to these violations.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“The workshop brought together - for the first time, as far as I know - child protection advisers from all United Nations peace operations and peacebuilding support offices. We particularly welcome the special focus in the Secretary-General's report on the issue of rape and sexual violence against children. They are horrendous crimes that have far-reaching implications for the development of the affected societies. Unlike the other six grave violations, those crimes have no obvious link to warfare, and yet sexual and gender-based violence against children has reached appalling levels in many situations of conflict.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Furthermore, it is important to ensure that provisions for the protection of children continue to be included in the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping operations and political missions. The protection of children must also be systematically considered in peace agreements. We recognize the important work done by child protection advisers and welcome their increasing deployment over the past few years. Austria was honoured to support the ongoing efforts within the United Nations system to develop guidance for mainstreaming the protection of children within United Nations peacekeeping by hosting a child protection workshop organized by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the European University Center for Peace Studies of Stadtschlaining, Austria, in March 2009.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“We also wish to encourage Member States to provide sanctions committees with additional information with a view to listing individuals or entities committing violations and abuses against children. More has to be done, too, to end impunity and to bring to justice individuals who commit crimes against children. Concerned Member States must take decisive action to strengthen the rule of law and must ensure that those responsible are brought to justice either through national justice systems or international justice mechanisms. The International Criminal Court - and I wish to stress this point - can play an important role in ending impunity in this area also.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“We agree with the Secretary-General that direct contact between the United Nations country teams and non-State actors is of great importance to ensure the effective protection of children and we call on the concerned Member States to allow such contact in the framework of resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005). According to the report, 19 parties to conflicts have been listed in the annexes for the past four years. We believe that, for the sake of the children, the Council must ensure respect for its resolutions and should make better use of the tools available to it. More systematic communication needs to be established between the Security Council Working Group and the relevant sanctions committees. We welcome the fact that this idea is reflected in the draft presidential statement that will be adopted at the end of this debate.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“The new report of the Secretary-General (S/2009/ 158) provides an excellent overview and assessment of the developments that have taken place since late 2007. We appreciate the ongoing implementation of the monitoring and reporting mechanism in new country situations. The signing of two additional formal action plans and the de-Iisting of one party are welcome developments. Nevertheless, the Secretary-General's report makes it very clear that less than 10 per cent of all parties listed in the annexes have entered into formal action plans. The vast majority of those parties are non-State actors.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be made by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. We are grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Coomaraswamy, Executive Director Veneman and Under-Secretary-General Le Roy for their statements. In particular, as others have, we also welcome the presence of Ms. Grace Akallo and thank her for her thought-provoking and moving remarks. It is very important to us that the Council listen to the voices of the victims of the very crimes that we strive to prevent. I can assure Ms. Akallo that we will learn from her thoughts and experiences and that they will carry us forward in our work.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Madame President, I would first like to thank you for your presence here today and for your personal commitment to the issues that we are dealing with. I should also like to express my sympathy and solidarity in regard to the epidemic that your country is currently experiencing, an epidemic that has, in the meantime, spread to other countries, including to European countries such as my own. We are grateful to you, Madame President, for the determination that you have shown in this matter today, and you can certainly count on our full cooperation in this issue. I would like to thank Mexico and the Permanent Representative of Mexico here in New York for the excellent work that has been done in the preparation of this meeting and in the Working Group that deals with this matter.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114 (2009) · source
“Small and medium-sized States without vested interests in particular conflicts in a region can play a positive role. Austria, as a neutral country, has a long- standing tradition of offering and hosting good offices. In this context, let me also underline the potential of non-governmental organizations and pay tribute to the work of such institutions as Sant'Egidio in Italy or Burg Schlaining in Austria. In conclusion, let me thank Under-Secretary- General Lynn Pascoe once again for his interesting presentation. We also highly appreciate the efforts of Burkina Faso in promoting the issue of mediation and the settlement of disputes in the Council, and fully support the presidential statement to be adopted later today. We look forward to future discussions on this important matter.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Regional organizations in many instances have the advantage of being well acquainted with local and regional dynamics, but in some cases it must also be said that proximity and long-standing involvement can work to the detriment of potential mediators because they are not seen to be impartial and are therefore not acceptable to the conflict parties. Depending on circumstances, the European Union therefore contributes to mediation processes either as an actor or indirectly as a supporter to third-party mediation efforts. Mediation also creates local capacity in the target countries, thereby contributing to sustainable and locally owned conflict settlement. The United Nations should strive to strengthen operational partnerships with regional and subregional arrangements and offer support to mediation partners through the MSU.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Equipping the United Nations with adequate funds and human resources remains a prerequisite for successful dispute settlement, since the right timing, readiness and quick deployment of mediation teams are crucial. We fully support efforts to intensify cooperation with regional and subregional organizations, and note in particular the positive role that organizations such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern Africa Development Community are playing in this respect.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“For that to happen, it is of course clear that we, the Member States, must ourselves nominate more female candidates for such positions. Also, all mediators need to have adequate expertise in dealing with gender issues as part of their mandate. In order to achieve sustainable peace, we must ensure the availability of adequate resources for gender mediation expertise in all peace efforts. Any effective mediator needs to be supported by the right team, with expertise and thorough knowledge of the particular situation. We commend the excellent role that the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) and the newly established standby team have played over the past year in preparing and supporting an increasing number of mediation processes. We would like to see further consolidation of the MSU's capacities.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“It is clear that successful mediation efforts will normally result in compromise solutions that balance the interests of former adversaries. That having been said, mediators must nonetheless make sure that the principles of the rule of law and the needs of transitional justice are respected. Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) urge Member States and the Secretary-General to ensure increased representation of women at all levels of conflict resolution and peace processes. Yet an analysis by the United Nations Development Fund for Women shows that, in 13 major comprehensive peace processes since 2000, not one single woman has been appointed chief mediator. We hope to see more appointments of women in the future.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In this situation, the added value of conflict prevention and resolution through mediation becomes ever more apparent. The Secretary-General's report (S/2009/189) therefore rightly underlines the comparative advantage of mediation in terms of cost- effectiveness, as opposed to large-scale conflict intervention and post-conflict reconstruction. As the Under-Secretary-General's briefing has shown, successful mediation efforts must go hand in hand with other crisis prevention and crisis management activities, in particular peacekeeping and 10 peacebuilding. We therefore support the Secretary- General's recommendation to make mediation, facilitation and dialogue expertise available to United Nations field presences.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“In recent years, the United Nations has conducted and supported a series of successful mediation efforts - for instance in Kenya - but Under-Secretary-General Pascoe has provided us today with an impressive complete list of the various efforts of the United Nations in this field. Mediation should be one of the first instruments that we resort to because it has proven to be an effective tool at all stages of the conflict cycle. Disputes can, of course, best be resolved through interventions at an early stage. If such interventions are successful, we can reconcile potential adversaries before a crisis erupts. As the ongoing discussions on the reform of United Nations peacekeeping have shown, we are confronted with a growing shortage of human and financial resources.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“Austria associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union later in this meeting. We would also in particular like to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe for his substantive and very comprehensive briefing. We are confronted with a large number of crises and new global dangers with a potential to ignite fully fledged conflicts posing threats to international peace and security. The complexity of the issues at stake and the involvement of a wide range of actors underscore the need to make use of the entire toolbox available to the United Nations and the international community.”
2009-04-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6108 (2009) · source
“An immediate freeze on all settlement activities, including natural growth, and the dismantlement of outposts built since 2001 would re- establish confidence and strengthen the hand of those committed to peace on the Palestinian side. Looking beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Austria strongly encourages intensified efforts by the parties on all tracks towards a just and comprehensive regional peace, including the early resumption of the Syrian-Israeli track. We welcome the progress achieved in the exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria. We wish to underline the continued importance of the Arab Peace Initiative to advancing the vision of security, stability and good-neighbourliness for all countries in the region.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“For the Palestinian side, that means speaking with one voice and forming a Government committed to work towards a settlement resulting in a two-State solution, with a Palestinian State living side by side with Israel in peace and security. In conformity with the entire European Union, Austria fully supports the Egyptian reconciliation efforts. As far as the current and any future leadership of Israel is concerned, we hope to see a greater commitment to peace negotiations as well as to the two-State solution. We expect a halt to all activities that jeopardize a negotiated settlement and the viability of the two-State solution, such as the construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and the construction of the separation barrier on occupied Palestinian land - acts that are contrary to international law.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“Moving forward on the path to peace also requires rebuilding trust, including by strengthening respect by all for the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law. We also note the ongoing debate on that question in Israel. Austria reiterates that all allegations of violations of international humanitarian law, by whomever they may have been committed, must be thoroughly investigated. In that context, we welcome the establishment of the Board of Inquiry by the Secretary- General and await its conclusions with interest. Since the adoption of resolution 1850 (2008), there have been serious setbacks and frustrations. Israelis and Palestinians must steer back, and firmly keep course, towards a just and comprehensive peace.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“Recovery and reconstruction efforts can advance only if all crossings are immediately and unconditionally opened for the passage of humanitarian aid and commercial flows, including construction materials essential for the rehabilitation of vital infrastructure, homes, clinics and schools. That and the freedom of movement of people are indispensable for a return of normal economic activity and for a dignified future for the Palestinian people. Progress towards sustainable peace can only come hand in hand with the reconstruction of Gaza as an integral part of a future Palestinian State and prospects for positive economic and social development for all Palestinians.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“First and foremost, the populations of southern Israel and Gaza need to see full respect for a permanent ceasefire. We are gravely concerned about the fragility of the current provisional ceasefire and we reiterate our condemnation of indiscriminate rocket attacks. We look to Israel to urgently provide full access for aid workers and materials. We note Israel's commitment to alleviating the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We also note that logistical steps have already been taken to improve the delivery of aid. Unfortunately, supplies continue to be highly insufficient in terms of the quantity and scope of goods allowed into the Gaza Strip.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“I, too, would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Pascoe for his detailed briefing, and we are grateful that we had the chance to listen to Ambassadors Mansour and Shalev. I wish to align myself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. I will therefore focus on a few aspects that are of particular importance to Austria. The briefing by Under-Secretary-General Mr. Pascoe once more underscored the urgency of stabilizing the humanitarian situation of the population of Gaza and the need to ensure an early recovery. The results of the Sharm el-Sheikh conference have demonstrated the international community's readiness to help the people in Gaza to rebuild their lives, but, beyond international support, that task requires immediate and decisive action by the parties.”
2009-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6100 (2009) · source
“Although it has been said many times before, allow me to stress that: the future of all the peoples of the western Balkans, including Serbia and Kosovo, lies in the European Union. This is a perspective to which my country has always been committed, and the realization of this perspective, in our View, offers the best long- and medium-term chance to find lasting solutions to many of the problems that we are discussing today. The European Council has reiterated this perspective a number of times, and EU member States fully support it. Austria is convinced that a very large majority of the inhabitants of Serbia and of Kosovo clearly see the benefits of European integration for their futures and the future of their families and their countries. Austria will continue to strive to achieve this goal.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source
“Bridging these differences and coming to a productive working relationship will benefit all people in the region. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to play a crucial role in Kosovo, and it has our full support. Under the leadership of Ambassador Almhofer, the OSCE mission in Kosovo fulfils an important role in guaranteeing a democratic and multi-ethnic future for Kosovo, in particular in building and monitoring Kosovo's democratic institutions and its support for human rights and for the preservation of minority rights. The stability in the Balkans is a goal shared by the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE. We are looking forward to continued OSCE engagement there.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source
“We also deplore the fact that the number of voluntary minority returns has declined compared to 2006 and 2007, and we express our hope that Kosovo's recently launched return project and the survey of internally displaced persons from Kosovo, to be conducted by Serbia together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, will prove to be effective and facilitate returns to Kosovo. We share the Secretary-General's observation that the efforts of all sides, with the support of the international community, need to continue to further implement the temporary arrangements laid out in his most recent report. We are convinced that pragmatism and a sense of responsibility will lead to tangible results in finding solutions to the outstanding practical issues.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source
“Austria also contributes some 650 troops to the International Security Force in Kosovo (KFOR). Ours is thus the biggest non-NATO contingent in KFOR, and we currently exercise command over the KFOR Multinational Task Force South. Furthermore, we provide 27 police officers, judges and prison officers to EULEX. We believe that the core responsibility of the international community in Kosovo is the protection of all ethnic groups, in particular minorities. Austria is concerned about reports of inter-ethnic violence in the Mitrovica region and warmly welcomes the agreement of the police commanders of both parts of Mitrovica to organize joint police patrols. This could be an essential element in securing peace and stability.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source
“In continuously implementing the Ahtisaari proposals and the new Constitution, the Kosovo authorities have laid the foundations for a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic State. We encourage all ethnic groups to actively participate in the structures of Kosovo and so ensure that multi-ethnicity becomes an integral part of everyday life. Austria has made continuous efforts to foster peace and stability in the western Balkans by bringing together all sides in dialogue. In 2005 and 2006, we organized two seminars that were instrumental in designing a law on the status and the protection of religious communities in Kosovo, and we were glad to host the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for the future status process for Kosovo in Vienna and to actively support its efforts.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source
“Since then, we witnessed the successful deployment of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) throughout Kosovo on 9 December. The first EULEX report before us today bears witness to this success. We are content to see that, due in part to the constructive attitude of Serbia in cooperating with EULEX, the Mission has already been able to make an important contribution helping the authorities of Kosovo in forming a multi-ethnic State based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. We are convinced that the recent establishment of an European Union (EU) liaison office in Belgrade will further facilitate and strengthen this cooperation. 09-27620 We believe that Kosovo has made significant progress over the past year.”
2009-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6097 (2009) · source