YouSaid · the spoken record

Michel

lines on the record
74
first
2000-01-24
most recent
2023-09-20
sittings or episodes
8
sources
un-security-council

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  1. “We would see this as reflecting a conviction that is too often ignored: that while there can be no development without peace or stability, there is no chance for peace or stability without development. And that is precisely what gives specific added value to the institution that I represent. From that perspective, the Commission fully endorses the statement just made by the European Union presidency, which defined the framework and strategy of the European political contribution to bringing about peace in the Great Lakes region, whose stability is so important for balance, harmony and economic restructuring and human recovery throughout the African continent.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  2. “Mr. Michel (European Commission) (spoke in French): First of all, I would like to congratulate the United Republic of Tanzania on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of January. I would like, Madam President, to hail your initiative to organize, at this very critical juncture, a debate on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. You know better than anyone that today we have a real opportunity we must seize - indeed, an opportunity we must wrest from the hand of fate. I understand very well the honour the Security Council has bestowed upon the European Commission (EC) presided over by Jose Manuel Barroso by allowing us to address the Council.”

    2006-01-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5359 (2006) · source

  3. “It is therefore vital for those neighbouring countries to be closely involved and to play a constructive part in the United Nations efforts. These efforts would be further facilitated by coordination between the countries of the region themselves. The Union intends to enhance its relations with Afghanistan's neighbours and hopes to contribute through its initiatives to reinforcing the process of regional stabilization to be led by the United Nations. The aim of our action is to assist the United Nations in its efforts to help the Afghan people help themselves. It is essential for the international community to participate in these efforts. The neighbouring countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference will obviously have an important part to play. As for the European Union, the Council can count on its active support.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  4. “That is why the Union considers it so important to initiate a plan for the economic and institutional reconstruction of Afghanistan right away. It is essential for the political process to be backed up by economic aid. The development of agriculture will help to combat the cultivation of opium poppies and drug-trafficking. The implementation of a mine clearance plan will facilitate the aid delivery and the return and reintegration of refugees and displaced persons. The challenge before us is vast and multidimensional. Success will depend in large measure on our ability to take account of the regional dimension. It is clear that stability in Afghanistan will increase regional stability. On the other hand, a lasting solution in Afghanistan presupposes that the legitimate interests of neighbouring countries are taken into account.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  5. “Under the Taliban regime, serious violations of human rights and of the principles of humanitarian law have been committed. We have in particular condemned the discriminatory and inadmissible treatment of women, whose most basic rights are systematically and methodically flouted. Post-conflict resolution represents a tremendous challenge. Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has been through 20 years of invasion, civil war and natural disaster. For more than four years now it has been beset by drought. Once we have succeeded in establishing a Government that is stable, legitimate and representative of the whole population, the international community will have to embark on a programme to reconstruct the country.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  6. “It strongly insists that the Northern Alliance contribute without any reservations to those efforts, in particular by temporarily holding Kabul in trust, for the benefit of the entire Afghan people. We are convinced that any political settlement in Afghanistan must be based on the will of the Afghans themselves. We wholeheartedly support the current and future United Nations efforts to achieve this strategic objective. However, no one underestimates the difficulties that remain to be overcome. The uncertainties surrounding the length and consequences of the military campaign mean that the United Nations will have to play it by ear to a certain extent. Any strategic vision must take this into account. The European Union stresses the importance of incorporating a human rights dimension into any settlement concerning Afghanistan.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  7. “At this crucial moment for the future of Afghanistan and regional stability, the European Union would like to reiterate the position it has taken since the beginning. There will never be peace and stability in this country unless a democratic and broad-based Government, including all ethnic groups, is established there. That Government will have to adhere to the commonly accepted principles of respect for human rights and law. The European Union believes that it is up to the United Nations and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to play a central role in helping the Afghans in their difficult task of establishing such a Government. The Union stands ready to support the United Nations' plans wards this end.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  8. “We also wish to stress the importance of releasing the funds promised by the international community. The European Union supports the efforts of the United Nations specialized agencies, of the International Committee of the Red Cross and of all humanitarian organizations involved in seeking practical and flexible solutions adapted to needs. It also appeals to the countries of the region to facilitate, by all means possible, the humanitarian operations for taking in new flows of Afghan refugees. As I was able to see during my recent trip to the region, the neighbouring countries are also suffering the consequences of the crisis in Afghanistan. The Union therefore calls on the international community to come to the aid of these countries.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  9. “We believe that this civilian population, which is already the victim of a serious humanitarian crisis and which has endured the oppressive Taliban regime for far too long, must as far as possible be spared the consequences of the military operations. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is quite simply alarming and is continuing to deteriorate. We know that this crisis will worsen with the onset of winter. The evolution of the situation on the ground has to be used to quickly improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to come to the aid of the refugees and the displaced persons. Emergency humanitarian aid remains an absolute priority for the Union, which has undertaken to mobilize without delay aid amounting to more than 320 million euros.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  10. “The fight against terrorism is not directed at the Muslim world. We respect the Islamic traditions and the values it has brought to the world. The European Union firmly supports the targeted military operations that began on 7 October, which are legitimate and in accordance with the terms of the Charter and Security Council resolution 1368 (2001). As our heads of State and Government stated on 19 October, the objective is, and will continue to be, to eliminate the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, which was unquestionably behind the terrorist attacks on 11 September. Its leaders have not been handed over by the Taliban regime, which has, on the contrary, continued to harbour them. The target of this military campaign in Afghanistan is clearly not the civilian population.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  11. “All of us here agree that terrorism is a real challenge for the whole world. On several occasions the European Union has expressed its total solidarity with the American people and Government. It has also made it a priority objective to combat the scourge of terrorism. We are convinced that this fight requires as broad an international coalition as possible, under the aegis of the United Nations. This Organization remains the most appropriate forum for reinvigorating and reinforcing the efforts aimed at eliminating international terrorism. By holding yesterday's ministerial discussion and adopting a resolution, the Security Council highlighted this fact once again, which I welcome. The threat we face today is global, and so must be the cooperation between all cultures, religions and societies.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  12. “Lakhdar Brahimi, is preparing his recommendations for the Security Council and the Security Council is preparing to adopt a resolution that will support the efforts of the United Nations and Mr. Brahimi in Afghanistan, this meeting provides the international community as a whole with the opportunity to make its voice heard. At the outset, I wish to restate the European Union's support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative. The Union will look favourably on any recommendations Mr. Brahimi may prepare, and we salute his efforts to date. I also wish to recall that the European Union as such wishes to participate actively, under the aegis of the United Nations, in the quest for a political solution and in the subsequent reconstruction of Afghanistan.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  13. “Mr. Michel (Belgium) (spoke in French): I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia - and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey - align themselves with this statement. Allow me, first of all, to extend my thanks to the members of the Security Council and more particularly to its presidency, for having organized this open discussion at a time when significant developments are taking place in Afghanistan. The Northern Alliance has entered Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. At a time when the Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr.”

    2001-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4414Resumption1 (2001) · source

  14. “That pact would fall within the scope of a conference on stability and cooperation in the Great Lakes region, which could be organized once peace returns to the region. Finally, I would hope that we would consider the lessons of the Carlsson report. Not only should we help Rwanda heal the wounds of the past, but we must also ensure that the errors committed in Rwanda are not repeated. We want to break from the logic of war, a war which cannot be won by anyone. We must show those who think they can improve their lot only by taking up arms that there exists a peaceful alternative based on economic cooperation and development. My country possesses the will and the means to participate in this endeavour.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  15. “Insofar as the signatory countries truly commit themselves, the international community is ready to contribute to its implementation. African ownership can be neither rejection nor withdrawal. The concept must involve collaboration and partnership. Our efforts should be seen in the framework of partnership with countries in central Africa. That partnership involves, first of all, the countries of the region itself. It is only through regional stabilization and cooperation beyond one' s own borders that peace, ensured by the implementation of the Lusaka Agreement, will be truly consolidated. On that basis, we are ready to rally our partners - both within the European Union and beyond - to a N orth-South partnership pact focusing on reconstruction, democracy and development.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  16. “President Masire has now been appointed as facilitator and will bring his prestige as a great statesman, as well as his long political experience, to this indispensable dialogue. Belgium welcomes his appointment and will support him fully. I call on all Congolese parties to build a political system involving all dynamic elements of the nation. The international community should not remain on the sidelines while the Congolese attempt to achieve this objective. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the concept of African ownership, which may recently have been a reason for withdrawing from Africa and which has now - through the Lusaka Agreement - demonstrated its relevancy. The Agreement is an African response to an African crisis.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  17. “Belgium will contribute financially and logistically in its national capacity and in conjunction with its partners in the European Union. I would also urge the Security Council to provide sufficient protection and means of transportation and communications so that the observers to be deployed under phase II can carry out their mission objectively and under full security. The issue of the disarmament and reintegration of combatants of irregular armed groups is clearly of the utmost importance, and it is also extremely difficult. This will require political mechanisms and economic incentives, rather than military solutions. A fourth prerequisite is the inter-Congolese dialogue. Its implementation is essential and urgent.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  18. “Here I welcome the initiatives taken by the Secretary-General, particularly his appointment of an especially experienced Special Representative, Ambassador Morjane, who should be able to count on the political and logistical support of the international community, as well as the full cooperation of the parties. The third prerequisite is a peacekeeping operation to help the signatories put the Agreement into practice and allow it to achieve one of its principal objectives, namely, the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Congo. In order to succeed, such a mission will have to be adequately equipped with a clear mandate and the necessary logistical and financial resources. I urge the Security Council to seize the opportunity offered by the Lusaka Agreement and shoulder its responsibilities in this respect.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  19. “That support is absolutely necessary to make the Agreement's mechanisms work. Immediate financial and logistical assistance for the Joint Military Commission (JMC) so that it may function on a permanent basis is indispensable to its executing its mission. In this respect, the financial contributions pledged should be paid into the trust fund without delay. So far, Belgium has contributed BF10 million and has actively encouraged the European Union to pledge 1.2 million euros without delay. Better coordination between the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), the JMC and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) is also needed.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  20. “Indeed, this is the only instrument that exists to end the conflict. Now, what do we think are the conditions for resuming the peace process and ensuring its success? First, of course, is the political will of the signatories. The primary responsibility for implementing the Lusaka Agreement lies with those who signed it. It is up to them to respect their own signatures and to carry out what they agreed to: respect for the ceasefire, the withdrawal of troops and a halt to rearmament. A clear demonstration of political will by the parties to implement the peace Agreement in good faith and without creating impediments is absolutely essential to enable the international community to uphold and encourage their actions. This naturally brings me to my second point, namely, the support of the international community.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  21. “We have not gathered here today at such a high level of political representation to negotiate a new treaty; rather, we are gathered to create an unstoppable momentum that will lead to full implementation of the Lusaka Agreement. Although it entered into force almost six months ago, today we are seeing a slow pace of implementation and the risk that the peace process may become more fragile. We cannot remain passive. All parties involved - signatories to the Agreement and the international community, both collectively and individually - must shoulder their responsibilities. The gravity of the situation and its catastrophic humanitarian consequences require more than ever that everything be done to relaunch the peace process by setting into motion the mechanisms already envisaged in the Agreement.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  22. “First and foremost among those is the territorial unity and integrity of Congo and the inviolability of its borders. For Belgium, this is the first prerequisite for the country's recovery. At the same time, Congo's neighbours have the right to live in peace within secure borders, without destabilizing action being undertaken from Congolese territory. The other essential factor to the stabilization of Congo is of a domestic character, namely, national reconciliation. The Lusaka Agreement explicitly sets out the commitment of the Congolese signatories to undertake an internal dialogue leading to national reconciliation within the framework of freely accepted institutions, including a national army truly at the service of the Congolese people.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  23. “During the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, on 25 September 1999, I announced that Belgium wished to devote special attention to central Africa and to solving the crisis in the Congo. We wish to contribute to pulling the region out of the quagmire of war and insecurity, and thereby out of underdevelopment. My presence here today is further confirmation of that commitment. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country the size of a continent, and its stability influences that of the entire African continent and impacts directly on the stability of its nine neighbours. The return to peace and regional stability requires the re-establishment of respect for the fundamental principles that were clearly reaffirmed by the signatories to the Lusaka peace Agreement.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source

  24. “Mr. Michel (Belgium) (spoke in French): I am very happy to see you, Sir, presiding over this meeting, and I would like to thank you for your efforts to lend new momentum to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to make the international community more aware of the gravity of this crisis. I encourage your initiative and assure you of my country's support. Belgium's position lies within the framework of the efforts made by the European Union, and I associate myself fully with the statement to be made by the Portuguese presidency of the Union. My Government believes that European involvement in the peace process and in the stabilization of the region is an essential factor in ensuring the success of our efforts.”

    2000-01-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4092Resumption1 (2000) · source