YouSaid · the spoken record

Murmokaite

lines on the record: 1,184
first: 2012-11-19
most recent: 2016-11-07
sittings or episodes: 138
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

“The political establishments and people on both sides must finally understand that it is peace and not confrontation that is in the interest of both Israelis and Palestinians. This week, the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Mrs. Dalia Grybauskaite', in her meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, urged both sides to do everything within their power to curb the escalation of violence and restore calm. Lithuania calls on the political leadership of both sides to do everything they can to stop incitement, end impunity and guarantee respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. The political leaders have an obligation to protect innocent civilian lives. We call on both sides to engage in direct talks to calm the tensions.”
2015-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7540 (2015) · source
“We welcome the repeated reassurances by Israel's Prime Minister regarding respect for the status quo of the holy sites and encourage further concrete steps to reaffirm it, working in close cooperation with Jordan. Gaza needs urgent reconstruction and economic development. An immediate and unconditional lifting of the closure and a free flow of people and goods, while addressing Israel's legitimate security concerns, are required for effective humanitarian relief and recovery. We see Gaza as an integral part of the future State of Palestine and call for genuine Palestinian reconciliation. The latest outbreak of violence reminds us once again that the current situation is unsustainable.”
2015-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7540 (2015) · source
“We wish full recovery to those injured. Palestinian and Israeli political, community and religious leaders must stand firm against terror, violence and incitement. They must clearly and firmly denounce all such acts and call for calm and respect for each other. Further inflammatory rhetoric, distortion of facts and violence - verbal or physical - will only bring more violence, pain, death and despair and will make the hope for living in peace and security even more remote. All provocations, including at the holy sites, must cease immediately. All holy sites must be protected. The Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount is a sacred place for both Muslims and Jews, and it is Vital to ensure that its status quo is respected.”
2015-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7540 (2015) · source
“This debate is taking place at a time when any spark of unilateral action or any new incident can lead to an explosion of violence, shutting off the little that remains of the window of opportunity to reach a peaceful settlement to the conflict. Today, we are witnessing what actions - such as illegal settlements, evictions and demolitions, provocations, stabbings, acts of terror against civilians or a disproportionate response from security forces - can cause. In his briefing, earlier today, Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson noted the numbers of people killed and injured on both sides. These numbers continue to grow. Lithuania strongly condemns all acts of Violence, which have resulted in injuries and loss of human life. The perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to account. Our deepest condolences to the families affected.”
2015-10-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7540 (2015) · source
“While we are realistic about expecting change to be of limited scope in the short term, we remain convinced that greater transparency, inclusiveness, interactivity and diversity of candidates, including in terms of gender, are definitely in order in the process of selecting and appointing the individual who will lead the United Nations at a time ofunprecedented challenges and tasks ahead.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“Finally, let me touch upon the election of the next Secretary-General. As the United Nations claims its rightful place in the twenty-first century, so should the selection ofthe chief officer of the United Nations meet twenty-first century standards. He or she will take up one of the most challenging jobs on Earth. For the first time, as the President ofthe General Assembly reminded us today, General Assembly resolution 69/321, on the revitalization of the Assembly's work, envisages a joint activity on the subject.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“During the general debate of the General Assembly last month, several events dedicated to the issue of veto restraint drew large numbers of participants. It is simply unacceptable that veto powers should be used to protect the perpetrators, as has been the case with Syria or the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17, and not the victims. Lithuania fully supports relevant initiatives, including the call for adopting a code of conduct to that effect. Failure to bring the perpetrators to account encourages impunity. Repeated failure to do so calls the Council's credibility into question. We believe that the Council should make better use of the tools available to pursue justice, including cooperation with the International Criminal Court, with respect to both new referrals and the follow-up on existing referrals.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“While the Chairs of peacebuilding country configurations do brief the Council occasionally, their experience and insights could be used more extensively, and in consultations as well. Open debates remain a highly important tool for the work of the Council. However, more thought should be given to structuring them better. It is frankly painful to see ministers from countries that are not Council members addressing the Council with only junior experts there to listen to them - or to think of our own colleagues speaking at 8.30 pm. on issues of critical importance. Such questions remain open, although a number ofuseful documents have already been adopted. Previous Council documents contain useful indications which should be revisited and taken up again.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“With regard to the Council's increasingly heavy workload, we believe there is some scope for improvement by reviewing existing mandate cycles to make things a little easier, especially in cases where situations remains static for long periods of time and may not warrant the existing frequency of deliberations, as, for example, in the case of quarterly meetings on Kosovo. In our view, Council members must put the "interactive" back in interactive debates. We should take advantage of the rare meetings with Force Commanders, police commanders, regional organizations and other relevant actors to engage in genuine exchanges, not limited to the reading ofprepared statements. Similarly, there is room for improving the Council's dialogue with the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“As the Council endeavours to tackle an unprecedented number of crises simultaneously, better use of the agenda item on "any other business" during consultations would be welcome. One useful option that can strengthen the Council's preventive approach is the ability to be flexible through the use of"any other business" and informal briefings, aimed at flagging potential crises, by the Secretary-General, the DPA or, for that matter, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, since human-rights violations are usually harbingers of more serious trouble to come.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“Press statements and other forms of media engagement by relevant subsidiary bodies or their Chairs - although that practice is not common - offer additional avenues for outreach and disseminating relevant information and should be further explored. Speaking of websites, we call on Council members to take a fresh look at the possibilities of adjusting the structure of the Security Council's annual report in line with the realities of the information age. My delegation has submitted a number of proposals in that regard, as the representative of New Zealand has mentioned, to the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, and we are open to engaging further on the matter with all Council members.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“We have had a positive experience, both on their substance and for practical reasons, with joint meetings between the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities, and the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), as well as between the Yemen Sanctions Committee and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. They save time for both experts and briefers and can help us deal better with the ever-growing demand for meeting spaces and interpretation services. We welcome the steps that the DPA has taken to establish consolidated sanctions lists and provide more systematic information on the United Nations website and social media.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“We should strengthen the Secretariat's capacity to provide adequate assistance to the Sanctions Committees in their work. In that regard, we should keep in the mind the work done last year by one Council member, and we hope we can move it forward, with the best interests of the countries concerned at its heart. Where appropriate, we should also consider closer cooperation among the Council's subsidiary bodies.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“Regarding the Sanctions Committees, we have sought to engage actively with the countries concerned and their neighbours and with relevant regional actors, both formally and informally. We did so with the aim of improving understanding of the situation at hand and of how the decisions we take affect developments on the ground, including the concerns that countries may have about the impact of sanctions and their related capacity-building needs. We believe these are good practices that should be continued. Visits by the Chairs of subsidiary bodies to the countries concerned should be further encouraged. And, of course, as the Deputy Secretary-General mentioned, the handover from Chair to Chair should be better managed and streamlined.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“There is nothing regular about the threat and spread of terrorism these days, and the United Nations counter-terrorism machinery must adjust to that new reality. Late last year, the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) took a useful step in bringing the Counter- Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force together for an informal briefing. Such meetings should not be one-offs, especially since the gap between assessment and assistance, and for that matter, between bodies with mandates from the Security Council and from the General Assembly, remains. It is vital that we overcome the silo mentality and make sure that we respond jointly and promptly to countries' concerns and needs for assistance. There is still a lot of work to be done to that effect.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“In our View, such practice should become standard, because it enables us to have a better understanding of what those bodies do, and that is key to better implementation, whether of sanctions regimes or counter-terrorism measures. Particularly where the Counter-Terrorism Committee is concerned, we believe it is essential for it to engage with the membership ofthe United Nations in order to raise awareness and provide a platform for sharing good practices and insights on how best to tackle the threat of terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters. To that end, my delegation has sought to increase the number of the Counter-Terrorism Committee's open briefings and special events, and through them tackle some issues that may not be on the Committee's regular agenda.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing this debate, and the briefers for their useful insights. Improving the Security Council's working methods is an issue of great interest to all Member States. After all, while only 15 Council members prescribe and set legally binding norms, all 193 United Nations Members have to implement their decisions. Greater accountability, transparency and openness in the Council's work are therefore paramount. Briefings by the presidency at the beginning and end of the month and by the Chairs of subsidiary bodies have become routine, and more Council meetings are being held in an open format. We welcome the fact that more Sanctions Committees are now briefing the Council in public.”
2015-10-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7539 (2015) · source
“Lithuania remains strongly committed to a negotiated two-State solution of a sovereign, independent and contiguous State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace, security and mutual recognition.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“We call on both, and in particular Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, to do everything in their power to stop the violence and take all measures necessary to protect the civilian population. During the extended Quartet meeting two weeks ago, my Minister called on the international community to help the parties to overcome their mistrust. Step by step, they should relearn to walk together. It is important for the parties to accept that an all-or-nothing approach will achieve neither a solution, nor peace nor security. The mediation role of the United States remains crucial. The Quartet can and should contribute actively to this process.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The Israeli and Palestinian authorities have the responsibility to restrain inflammatory rhetoric, prevent the spread of hatred, and immediately take all necessary measures to end the violence and restart reconciliation between the two communities. We urge both sides to commit themselves to the path of negotiation and to seek new incentives to reinvigorate the peace process without delay. Incitement and revenge will only bring more revenge, leading to more grief instead of useful solutions. The task of the international community is to remain firm in insisting that both parties commit themselves to peace and dialogue. Real and concrete actions must be taken now.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“The latest dangerous escalation of the situation in the wider Middle East region once again shows us the importance of the Middle East peace process. Lithuania is extremely concerned about the continuing wave of violence and killings in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. We strongly condemn the acts of violence committed by all parties, and express our sincere condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones in this deadly cycle of violence. Respectforinternationallaw,includinginternational human rights and international humanitarian law, is paramount. It is essential to refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric and to uphold the historic status quo at the holy sites, including the Haram Al-Sharif/ Temple Mount.”
2015-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7536 (2015) · source
“Without addressing the driving factors, we will be left to continue picking up the pieces and dealing with the heavy consequences of migrant flows and the cynical abuse of human tragedy by unscrupulous profiteers, criminal gangs and terrorists.”
2015-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7531 (2015) · source
“We are looking forward to the forthcoming EU and African Union summit in Malta, which will build on existing cooperation processes between Europe and Africa in order to improve assistance, strengthen cooperation on return and readmission policies and address the exploitation and trafficking of migrants. While the smuggling crisis is often referred to as a European migrant crisis, let us remember the root causes that drive people out of their homes. Protracted conflicts, the breakdown of governance and the rule of law, oppressive regimes and rampant corruption, the exclusion and abuse of minorities, extreme inequalities and systematic gross violations of human rights all contribute to displacement and refugee flows. Tackling those root causes, which send people running out oftheir homes, is therefore fundamental.”
2015-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7531 (2015) · source
“It enables us to tackle the networks of human smuggling more expeditiously and effectively. It also enables us to take life-saving actions that safeguard respect for the dignity and human rights of the smuggling victims. The EU naval operation is just one step of the many that comprise the EU's comprehensive and continuous efforts to respond to the human smuggling crisis. Ongoing cooperation on Africa and the Middle Eastern and European countries is essential as is cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, as well as the countries of destination. In that context, we welcome in particular Libya's cooperation and engagement on the matter as it works to redefine and reshape its own future in a peaceful way.”
2015-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7531 (2015) · source
“We are glad resolution 2240 (2015), which Lithuania co-sponsored, is finally adopted. When the European Union (EU) High Representative, Ms. Federica Mogherini, addressed the Council in May (see S/PV.7439), she conveyed the sense of urgency to address the human suffering and crisis in the Mediterranean. Predator smuggling and trafficking networks feed on the human tragedies in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The money they squeeze out of the people fleeing destruction falls into the hands of arms traffickers, organized crime and terrorists, thereby contributing to ever new cycles of violence and death. We must absolutely stop this evolving industry of human smuggling. The resolution we have just adopted sends a strong message to all those who seek to profit unscrupulously and cynically from human suffering.”
2015-10-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7531 (2015) · source
“To conclude, we welcome the positive achievements, but we also recognize their fragility. The women and men of Haiti still need our political and financial support.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“Swift and effective action on the part ofthe Haitian Government will not be enough without genuine support from the international community. We recognize the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in stabilizing security and strengthening rule of law in Haiti. The very presence of MINUSTAH in the upcoming elections in October and December will be a calming factor. Taking into account the current situation and the challenges facing Haiti in the near future, we support the extension of the MINUSTAH mandate in its current composition. However, we share the recommendation of the Secretary-General that, after the inauguration of the new President, a strategic assessment be carried out to adapt the Mission to its new situation and the new needs of the country.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“From the security standpoint, we see a decrease in violence and increased responsibility on the part of the Haitian National Police in maintaining public order. That important achievement proved evident during the legislative elections. We hope that, with the support of the United Nations, the objective of training at least 15,000 police officers by 2016 can be achieved. However, crime remains a major challenge. A strengthened Haitian National Police with greater accountability is necessary to deal with persistent crime. We welcome the recent adoption of the national crime prevention strategy for the period 2015-2017. Internal discipline of the police must be addressed in a serious and responsible manner.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“To ensure an effective democratic process, it is essential that all stakeholders of Haitian society fully take part. Economic growth remains a crucial factor for the country's stability and development. While the country has experienced a considerable decrease in the number of internally displaced persons, other negative factors - such as the increased number of returning nationals, drought and cholera - have increased the country's humanitarian needs and slowed its development, thereby endangering stability and security. In that context, international support remains crucial. Haiti still requires robust assistance in various areas ofpublic life, and we are pleased that the European Union is the most important partner in that respect.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“Successful elections will be decisive to Haiti's stability, future and sustainable socioeconomic and political development. Efforts to establish and strengthen the rule of law in Haiti should continue. We look forward to seeing the Government and courts take serious steps to end impunity for all those responsible for human rights abuses and violations, including police officers and prison guards. It is urgent to advance such measures as the drafting of a new penal code, the approval procedure for judges and police officers, and the expansion of legal aid services. The human rights situation is of ongoing concern. We strongly urge the Haitian authorities to establish a strategic plan for 2015-2018 to strengthen institutional capacity in the protection of human rights.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“Ms. Murmokaite (Lithuania) (spoke in French): I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Ms. Sandra Honore, for her briefing. Undoubtedly, on 9 August the first round of legislative elections in Haiti marked an important step. Even if elections took place within a tense climate, the very fact that they have taken place without any major incident shows Haiti's serious commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We are convinced that Haiti is on the right track. However, much remains to be done, and the results that have been achieved are not irreversible. The situation requires our ongoing attention. The proposed electoral calendar must be respected and implemented. It is important for the political parties to continue to behave responsibly, constructively and pragmatically.”
2015-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7530 (2015) · source
“We also hope that the Council does not have to meet again to debate the shameful behaviour of a few peacekeepers 10 years from now.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“It is therefore even more imperative that justice be done, in the interests of those thousands of peacekeepers and mission staff who serve with dedication, by going with full force after those few transgressors who have used a peacekeeping mission to transform it from its role of protector to that of predator. While the United Nations does not have the authority to prosecute crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation committed by peacekeepers, it can certainly do more to promote a climate of accountability in other ways by building a durable, pervasive culture of accountability from top to bottom and from bottom to top. We welcome the strong position that the Secretary- General has taken on the matter, and we hope that a zero-tolerance policy, which we so often preach, will finally become a fact rather thanjust a mere expression.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“It keeps reappearing ever so often. If we remember, back in 2006, in the wake ofa sexual exploitation scandal in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the former Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Gue'henno, said, "We dishonour these brave men and women when we fail to prevent or punish those from within their ranks who victimize the very people peacekeepers are meant to protect and serve." (S/PV5379, p. 3) Several thousand peacekeepers have died in the line of duty over the years - let us remember that. Peacekeeping missions are becoming more and more complex and dangerous. Manypeacekeepers and civilian staff serve in truly difficult conditions, of which I had a glimpse myself last week during a trip to the Central African Republic. To serve under such conditions takes endurance and commitment.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“We appreciate the fact that the New Zealand presidency organized an informal discussion on the topic in July. Lithuania supports such efforts, the political statement on the suspension of the veto in case of mass atrocities presented by France and Mexico, as well as discussions on a code of conduct developed by the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency group. On the issue of accountability, the Council should certainly remain strongly and continuously engaged on the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers. If ignored, such abuses will continue undercutting the credibility of United Nations peacekeeping, and of the United Nations itself. The problems certainly did not start with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“Importantly, it would also send a strong deterrent message to would-be rapists, marauders and murderers. In that respect, my delegation was profoundly disappointed with the outcome of the votes last July on the draft resolutions on Srebrenica and on establishing an international tribunal on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-l7. Vetoing resolutions that address the issue ofjustice and accountability is an affront to the memories of the victims of those crimes and to the pain of their families. It also, dangerously, sends a very wrong signal on how we deal with issues of accountability and impunity. On the other hand, the situation in July concerning those two vetoes only highlights the urgency of addressing the Council's use of the veto. Today, other delegations preceding me spoke about that.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bangura's briefing on sexual violence in the Middle East (see S/PV.7428) reminded us of that in the starkest possible terms. Justice and accountability cannot be relegated to some time later, because, for many ofthose affected, that "some time later" may never come. Tackling impunity is crucial, be it in Syria, Darfur, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Iraq, Yemen or any other conflict area where crimes against humanity, war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law have been perpetrated. Whoever the perpetrators may be, holding them to account would contribute to reconciliation and healing, build stronger foundations for peace and ensure justice for the Victims.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“At the beginning of this month, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2235 (2015), which establishes the Joint Investigative Mechanism in Syria of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which will be mandated to identify those responsible for attacks involving chemical weapons. That is an important step, albeit only the first, towards establishing accountability in that country. That is indispensable if we are truly committed to stamping out the use of chemical weapons everywhere once and for all. We thank the Secretary- General for his recommendations with regard to the establishment of the Mechanism, and we urge the Council to go ahead with full support for that body and its activities. Besides that particular mechanism, however, impunity certainly reigns elsewhere.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“The Council's close monitoring of the situations in Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, Burkina-Faso and Myanmar goes in that direction. While not all of our signals have been heard by the political actors on the ground, the very fact that the Council follows such situations closely puts it in a better position to react quickly and effectively, if and when needed. However, that is not enough. The Council should take advantage of more opportunities, and more substantive steps need to be taken in prevention in general. I look forward to that issue being developed by the presidencies that will follow until the end of the current year, and beyond. Although we will no longer be members of the Security Council in 2016, Lithuania will of course follow with keen interest issues relating to prevention.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“While the work of the Council is often constrained by mandate cycles, and most of the open debates that we organize are held on a certain number of important issues, New Zealand's open debate (see S/PV.7499) on the peace and security challenges facing small island developing States (SIDS) was, in my opinion, a welcome breath of fresh air. We hope that the Council's engagement with SIDS regarding the specific security challenges those countries are facing will continue, that it will include follow-up and that the rare opportunity for preventive action will not be missed by the Council on such crucial challenges as managing the effects of climate change, climate-induced displacement and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons, among others. A sharper focus on prevention is more urgent than ever.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“On this last day of your presidency, Madam President, I would like to thank you for your wise stewardship of the Security Council during the month of August. I would like also to join my delegation's voice to the condolences that have been expressed with regard to the tragic death of the Force Commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to his family and to all those who knew him and will suffer that loss. I shall try to touch upon two thematic issues that link both the July and the August activities of the Council: the aspect of prevention and the aspect of accountability.”
2015-08-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7516 (2015) · source
“While the security situation has remained calm, we note the continued role played by the Kosovo Force and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo in ensuring security and consolidating the rule of law. Finally, acknowledging progress in the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina and the stability in Kosovo, like our colleague from the United Kingdom, we reiterate our view that such progress should lead to reducing the frequency of UNMIK debates in the Council, also given the large and growing number of truly critical peace and security situations the Council has to tackle every day.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“We reiterate our support for the European integration efforts of both Kosovo and Serbia. The path of integration requires the constant and dedicated implementation of reforms. The EU's long-standing engagement is a clear demonstration of its firm commitment to the countries of the region. We expect a swift signature of the EU Stabilization and Association Agreement with Kosovo. It would strengthen EU-Kosovo relations and continue to provide a solid framework for the necessary social and economic reforms. We welcome the measures taken by the Kosovar authorities to address the issue of violent extremism and note that these efforts could be reinforced through strengthened cooperation among the countries of the region.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“We welcome the the memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of vehicle insurance policies, signed on the margins of the most recent EU-facilitated high- level meeting. The practical cooperation between the mayors of Mitrovicaon steps taken to facilitate returns is yet another sign of progress. Like other delegations today, we welcome the adoption by the Assembly of Kosovo and signature by the President of the constitutional amendments and the law on the specialist court and the specialist prosecutor's office to try cases arising from the findings of the Special Investigative Task Force. We encourage the establishment of the specialist court with a mechanism for witness protection and hope to ensure that it will become operational at the earliest possibility.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“We welcome the progress achieved on the texts on the establishment of the association/community of Serb-maj ority municipalities and on the implementation arrangements in the field of telecoms, and encourage the parties to demonstrate political will and engage constructively in reaching final political agreement on these and on other remaining matters, so necessary for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Such normalization would first and foremost benefit the peoples of Kosovo and Serbia, with the mutual recognition of diplomas, the insurance of vehicles and freedom of movement being just a few of the concrete advantages that this would bring.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“Some concrete steps have already been taken in implementing the 19 April 2013 First Agreement of Principles Governing the Normalization of Relations, including on the integration of judiciary and civil protection personnel. Issues of energy, telecoms, the establishment of the association/ community of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo, freedom of movement and the Mitrovica bridge continue to be the focus of the discussions in the framework of the dialogue.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“1 thank Mr. Ivica Daeic', First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hashim Thaci of Kosovo for their statements. I also thank Mr. Farid Zarif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) for his briefing. Let me express our appreciation for his dedicated service at the helm of UNMIK and wish him every success in his new appointment as Special Representative for Liberia. I also wish our colleague Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan every success in his new job as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo. We reiterate our support for the continued efforts of the European Union (EU) in facilitating the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.”
2015-08-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7510 (2015) · source
“In that context, a specific focus during Security Council's visits on issues raised by the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, as well as an annual closed-door briefing by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the implementation of resolution 2151 (2014), as proposed by the Nigerian presidency in its concept note (S/2015/614,annex), could offer a useful venue for discussion and exchange on lessons learned. Finally, let us not forget the system-wide, holistic, long-term approach, as underlined by the Assistant Administrator of UNDP, as well as the underlying linkages between SSR and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes. If DDR fails, if it is only partial or incomplete, conducting solid and durable reform of the security sector will be hard to achieve.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“In that regard, we would like to welcome the efforts in C6te d'Ivoire, where the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of the Interior are developing terms of reference for police vetting. Finally, the success of security sector reform requires having a clear picture on how effective particular measures have been - what works and what does not in a given situation - and how best to avoid the typical mistakes in the process. The implementation of monitoring instruments, such as sets of indicators and benchmarks like those developed in C6te d'Ivoire and Liberia, have an important role to play in ensuring the sustained relevance and effectiveness of the support provided to national Governments.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source
“As per resolution 2217 (2015), the transitional authorities must investigate swiftly alleged violations and abuses in order to hold perpetrators accountable and to ensure that those responsible for such violations and abuses are excluded from the security sector. Granted, it is a challenging task, and the assistance of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic in that respect remains very important. The sharing of information and cooperation between national authorities and peacekeeping missions, as well as with the relevant international actors, contribute to the success of the vetting process.”
2015-08-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7508 (2015) · source