YouSaid · the spoken record

Olof Skoog

lines on the record: 243
first: 2020-04-23
most recent: 2021-10-19
sittings or episodes: 20
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 European Union, in line with European Council conclusions, will be ready to assist in the reconstruction of Syria only when a comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition, in the framework of resolution 2254 (2015) and the Geneva process, is firmly under way. We call on all parties to the conflict to advance a credible, sustainable and inclusive political solution based on the full and comprehensive implementation of resolution 2254 (2015), which is the only way to bring sustainable peace to Syria. The EU will continue to support the Office of the Special Envoy in its efforts to bring about an inclusive political solution.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The renewal of the Security Council resolution on cross-border assistance will continue to be vital as long as there is no adequate alternative to meet the immense and growing humanitarian needs in north-west Syria. All parties must allow rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, including across conflict lines, in order to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches people in need through the most direct routes. The EU calls on all parties to the conflict, in particular the Syrian regime and its allies, to depoliticize the delivery of humanitarian aid, abide by their international humanitarian law and international human rights obligations and permanently cease indiscriminate air strikes and shelling.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union continues to warn against any further displacements in any part of Syria, as well as against the potential exploitation of such displacements for the purposes of social and demographic engineering. Humanitarian needs in Syria have continued to increase: from 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020 to 13.4 million people in need in 2021. The EU and its member States are the largest donors in this humanitarian crisis, having provided €25 billion during the past 10 years. We will continue to show our solidarity. The European Union welcomed the unanimous adoption of resolution 2585 (2021) on 9 July 2021, which provides considerable relief over the next 12 months for millions of Syrians who rely on the humanitarian assistance delivered through this mechanism for their survival.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The Syrian refugee crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world, with 5.6 million registered refugees and another 6.7 million people displaced within Syria and with conditions not in place for their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return, in line with the parameters defined by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and in accordance with international law. The European Union insists that the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of origin will be encouraged only when those conditions are met. The underlying causes of the refugee and displacement crisis must be addressed through the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015).”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“In the absence of avenues for international justice, the prosecution of war crimes under national jurisdiction, where possible, which is now under way in several European Union member States, represents an important contribution towards securing justice. The European Union will continue to support efforts to gather evidence, including by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and the work of the Commission of Inquiry, with a view to pursuing future legal action. We welcome the initiative of the Netherlands, together with Canada, to invoke Syria’s responsibility for human rights violations that breach its international obligations, notably under the United Nations Convention against Torture.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The recent event organized by Liechtenstein on the margins of the General Assembly, co-sponsored by the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Qatar, entitled “Raising the Bar: Working towards Comprehensive Justice for Syria”, once again underlined the continued commitment of the wider United Nations membership to achieving justice for the most serious crimes committed in Syria during the past decade. The EU remains convinced that accountability and justice for victims is essential for a stable, peaceful Syria, based on a credible, inclusive and viable political solution, in accordance with resolution 2254 (2015).”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union continues to demand an end to repression, the release of detainees, information on the fate of the missing and meaningful engagement by the Syrian regime and its allies towards the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015). The EU continues to insist that the Syrian regime cooperate fully with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), including in its investigations on the use of chemical weapons in the conflict, and deplores the regime’s continued lack of cooperation with the OPCW. All those responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, some of which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, must be held accountable. The European Union reiterates its call to have the situation in Syria referred to the International Criminal Court.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The latest report (A/HRC/48/70) by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has again shed troublesome light on the continued violations committed across the country. Among those most exposed to the ongoing violations are women, children, older persons, displaced persons and individuals who have returned to Syria, as well as persons with disabilities. The conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and displaced persons, including internally displaced persons, have yet to be met in Syria. We share the Commission’s conclusions in that regard. We also reiterate our strong concern about reports of social and demographic engineering in all areas throughout Syria.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union once again echoes the call made on a number of occasions by the United Nations and the Security Council for the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, in line with resolution 2254 (2015) and 2532 (2020). Turkey is a key partner of the European Union and a critically important actor in the Syrian crisis and the region. Turkey’s security concerns in the north-east of Syria should be addressed through political and diplomatic means — not military action — in full respect of international humanitarian law. Within Syria, violations of international law, including violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, particularly the Syrian regime and its allies, persist.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The recent siege and the attacks perpetrated by the Syrian regime on Dar’a are not acceptable. In the north-west of Syria, the situation continues to be highly insecure. The ceasefire agreed in March 2020 is fragile and must be upheld and strengthened, civilians must be protected at all times, and attacks on civilian objects, including hospitals, must cease. The EU strongly condemns the recent attacks on Idlib. Signs that parties to the conflict are once again preparing to escalate the military confrontation are worrisome. The European Union also continues to be concerned by the situation in the north-east of Syria. Military action by any party in Syria renders ordinary life dangerous and intolerable for the civilian population.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union encourages progress during the sixth round of negotiations of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, which started on 18 October, and calls on all participants, particularly on the Syrian regime, to engage in good faith with the aim of achieving swift and meaningful progress on constitutional reform. The European Union has taken positive note of Special Envoy Pedersen’s proposals for a new political format and for a “steps for steps” approach to move forward in the political process. The European Union continues to call upon the Syrian regime and its allies, and indeed upon all parties to the conflict, to fully respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and in particular to permanently cease indiscriminate air strikes and the shelling of civilians and humanitarian workers.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union fully supports the efforts, approach and determination of United Nations Special Envoy Geir Pedersen to advance on all aspects of resolution 2254 (2015) through a comprehensive approach, including on the issue of detainees who are in the hands of the regime and missing persons and the establishment of a safe and neutral environment in order for free and fair elections to be held under United Nations supervision, and continues to encourage the work of the Syrian-led Constitutional Committee, under United Nations auspices.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The European Union remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian State and recalls that any sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine, inclusive political transition, in line with resolution 2254 (2015) and the 2012 Geneva communiqué (S/2012/522, annex), negotiated by the Syrian parties within the United Nations-led Geneva process, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. We recognize the important role played by the Women’s Advisory Board in advising the Special Envoy.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“Allow me to turn now to the situation in Syria. After more than a decade of conflict, the international community must not give up on Syria and must continue its efforts towards a political solution in line with resolution 2254 (2015). Conflict, violence and instability in Syria continue to have profound repercussions on the stability of the entire region, causing enormous human suffering, with millions of Syrians still displaced or living as refugees in other countries, as was made clear once again in the recent devastating statistical update from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Syria continues to be an EU priority, as the EU declaration to mark the tenth year of the conflict, followed by the Brussels Conference on Syria in March this year, made clear.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“Until a just, fair, agreed and realistic solution to the refugee issue in accordance with international law is found, UNRWA remains crucial for providing the necessary protection and essential services for Palestine refugees, and we will continue to support UNRWA in all its fields of operation, including in East Jerusalem. The European Union recalls that together with its member States, it is the largest contributor to UNRWA. We welcome the additional financial support from other and new donors, including the renewed commitment from the United States, and calls upon all partners, including the Arab Gulf States, to increase their contributions to UNRWA. The upcoming conference hosted by Sweden and Jordan will be an important opportunity to take steps towards sufficient, predictable and sustainable funding of the Agency.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The EU expects a full, independent investigation into the death of Nizar Banat to be duly carried out and those responsible to be held accountable. The EU calls for the fundamental right to freedom of expression in areas under PA control to be upheld. The European Union reiterates its deep and genuine appreciation for the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and for its dedicated staff, who are working in an extremely difficult and challenging context. UNRWA is playing a vital role in the humanitarian response and in early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza; it is an essential provider of vital services to millions of Palestine refugees and a stabilizing force in the region.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“We strongly encourage all Palestinian actors to resume efforts to build on the successful talks between the factions over recent months, to adhere to previous agreements, to renounce violence and terrorism, to recognize Israel’s right to exist and to commit to democratic principles, including the rule of law. We reiterate our call on Israel to facilitate the holding of such elections across all of the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem. The EU continues to stand ready to work with all those involved to facilitate EU observation of the electoral process. Palestinian civil-society organizations and actors must be allowed to carry out their important tasks free from obstruction, harassment and intimidation; the Palestinian Authority must also take responsibility in that respect.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The EU will continue to closely monitor developments on the ground and their broader implications and remains ready to take further action in order to protect the viability of the two-State solution. The EU reiterates its call on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to organize the postponed national elections without further delay. The EU has consistently expressed its support for credible, inclusive and transparent elections for all Palestinians. We firmly believe that strong, inclusive, accountable and functioning democratic Palestinian institutions based on respect for the rule of law and human rights are vital for the Palestinian people, for democratic legitimacy and, ultimately, for the two-State solution.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“Such actions as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation — including of EU-funded projects — evictions, forced transfers, including of Bedouins, illegal outposts, settler violence and restrictions of movement and access severely threaten the two-State solution and will only escalate an already tense environment. It will be important not to proceed with any planned evictions. The EU recalls the special significance of the holy sites and calls for upholding the status quo put in place in 1967 for the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif in line with previous understandings and with respect to Jordan’s special role.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The EU urges both parties to demonstrate their stated commitment to a two-State solution through concrete actions and to refrain from unilateral actions that threaten it. In that context, the EU is concerned about demolitions and evictions, including in East Jerusalem. Furthermore, the EU firmly condemns settler-related incidents. The EU reiterates that settlements are illegal under international law. The EU’s opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in that context, including in East Jerusalem, is well known.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The EU welcomes the steps that Israel has taken to ease some restrictions on Gaza and calls for the further lifting of restrictions to allow for early recovery and reconstruction efforts and basic service delivery as well as unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. The EU calls for all parties to take swift steps to produce a fundamental change in the political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip, including the end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns. The situation in the Gaza Strip has long been unsustainable; only a political solution will bring an end to the conflict. The preservation of the viability of the two-State solution, with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both States, is at the core of EU policy and will remain a priority.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“The EU welcomes the recent high-level contacts between the parties, including those aimed at agreeing on measures to improve socioeconomic conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, and encourages them to continue. The EU stands ready to support such efforts with the aim of improving the situation on the ground and restoring confidence, and of opening a path towards the relaunch of the peace process as soon as possible. Restoring a political horizon towards a two-State solution, to which the EU reaffirms there is no alternative, remains of the utmost importance. The EU continues to call for the consolidation of the ceasefire in Gaza and recalls its unequivocal position that rocket fire, the launching of incendiary balloons and other attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups are unacceptable.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, and the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, align themselves with this statement. The EU reaffirms its commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-State solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition. To that end, meaningful re-engagement between the parties, confidence-building measures and improving the living conditions of ordinary people are urgently needed.”
2021-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/884 (2021) · source
“To that end, we reiterate the need to work with the Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security, which Ireland is co-chairing in 2021. Moreover, in its capacity as a member of the Group of Friends on Climate and Security, the EU wishes to stress the importance of building capacity in the United Nations system to address climate-related security risks. Finally, let us not forget the broader environmental dimension of the issue, with climate change often exacerbating environmental degradation, water scarcity and desertification. That is particularly relevant for least developed countries, many of them in Africa, small island developing States and landlocked developing States, and for other regions such as the Mediterranean.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“Together, we are planning to foster strategic foresight and situational awareness to better anticipate, prevent and prepare for the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on the security environment, as well as to reduce the footprint of our missions and operations. The Security Council should continue working on climate and security, building upon previous debates and the Climate Security Mechanism, towards the recognition of the link between climate change and security. It should aim to go beyond the holding of thematic debates to systematically integrating climate-related security issues, where appropriate, in its resolutions. It should also consider adopting a resolution on climate change and security, as first initiated by Germany in 2020 and a like-minded group encompassing Belgium, Estonia and France, among others.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“On the EU’s side, under the European Green Deal, we will strive to ensure our own climate resilience in a shifting geopolitical security landscape. The foreign and security policy of the EU and its member States will systematically consider climate and environmental factors and risks. We will also work with partners, including the United Nations, to develop conflict prevention measures such as early-warning systems and support relevant international instruments such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. In the framework of EU-United Nations partnership crisis management and peace operations, the nexus between security and climate change and environmental degradation will be addressed as part of the next set of joint EU-United Nations priorities for 2022-2024, which is to be adopted by the end of the year.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“In Central Asia, climate change has been identified as a potential exacerbating factor of conflict, due to it influencing water flows into and around the Aral Sea. As final examples, in Iraq and Afghanistan, rising temperatures and extreme weather are putting pressure on natural resources and undermining livelihoods, causing tensions and displacement and opening up opportunities for illegal trade and terrorism. The Security Council has recognized the climate and security risks and has mainstreamed the adverse impacts of climate change into country and regional peacekeeping mandates in the Lake Chad basin, Somalia, Mali, Darfur, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Cyprus and Iraq. The EU warmly welcomes such inclusions and believes that should be done on a more structured and systematic basis.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“These developments will have severe consequences on the climate- and-security nexus, representing different types of challenges to human and State security and undermining global peace, which underlines the importance of enabling the Security Council to deal more comprehensively with the interlinkages between climate change and security. In the Sahel, we are already seeing how the impacts of climate change can undermine security and aggravate conflict. In the Lake Chad region, fluctuating water levels caused by climate change are contributing to serious water scarcity, food insecurity and resources competition, fuelling grievances and heightening levels of instability, conflict and terrorism influence in the region.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“As the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states, with global warming already at 2.0°C, heat extremes would reach critical tolerance thresholds for health and agriculture more frequently, contributing to both food and human insecurity. The more intense rainfall and flooding and the more intense drought that the IPCC report predicts will accelerate and deepen ongoing or latent vulnerabilities and instability. These developments could become new conflict drivers, particularly in areas where they are coupled with demographic challenges, where there will be heightened competition over scare natural resources and where food systems will be disrupted.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. The candidate countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania, the country of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement. We thank the Irish presidency for organizing today’s important and timely open debate on climate and security. The EU was one of the first to identify climate change as a security issue. For more than a decade, we have considered climate change and environmental degradation to be an existential threat multiplier that needs to be put at the heart of EU security policy and the global agenda. A world beyond 2.0°C can hardly be a secure one.”
2021-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/815 (2021) · source
“We expect these international commitments to be honoured and will hold those in power accountable for this. The Taliban must now show that they are willing and able to establish meaningful relationships with the outside world, to conduct dialogue and to respect human rights. To give Afghanistan a safe and stable future, they must embrace the diversity of the people and engage in an inclusive form of governance and human rights, especially of minorities, women and children.”
2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source
“The European Union will continue its operational engagement for the Afghan people, but this does not constitute political recognition of the Taliban or its caretaker government. The political, humanitarian and economic consequences of the Taliban’s takeover of power will impact Afghanistan’s neighbours, our regional partners. The European Union will continue, and strengthen, our engagement and assistance to help create capacity to receive Afghans who are leaving, to prevent the spread of terrorism and to fight against organized crime, including drug and human trafficking. We do this in close cooperation with the United Nations. The European Union will not abandon the Afghan people. We will continue to promote the principles and values that the State of Afghanistan itself has signed up to in international treaties and conventions.”
2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source
“Respect for human rights, in particular women’s rights, the rule of law and freedom of the media. The establishment of an inclusive and representative transitional government through negotiations. Free access for humanitarian aid, respecting our procedures and conditions for its delivery. Allowing the departure of foreign nationals and Afghans at risk who wish to leave the country in line with what was already decided by Security Council resolution 2593 (2021). In order to assess the actions of the Taliban, and to what extent the benchmarks are met, the European Union has initiated plans for a joint presence in Afghanistan, provided that the security conditions for such a presence can be established. In this regard, we note with concern reports of the violation of evacuated foreign embassies by the Taliban in Kabul.”
2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source
“The announcement of a caretaker cabinet by the Taliban this week showed no intention to ensure the inclusion of other political stakeholders, minorities or, crucially, women. The achievements from the past 20 years are under severe threat. This is not th e time to disengage, but to continue our partnership with the people of Afghanistan, guided by our principles and values with the aim of assisting them. The European Union will closely monitor the actions of the caretaker cabinet in Afghanistan, and our engagement will be based on the actions taken by the Taliban. At last week’s meeting, the European Union foreign ministers agreed on the following five benchmarks for engagement with the Taliban: The commitment that Afghanistan will not serve as a base for the export of terrorism to other countries.”
2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source
“The consequences of the violent takeover of power in Afghanistan by the Taliban are still materializing, but we are monitoring the developments closely. The humanitarian situation of the Afghan people is reaching crisis proportions and needs urgent attention. The European Union has increased the humanitarian contributions almost fourfold, and the European Union member States are also increasing their contribution to the humanitarian efforts. To ensure that the assistance is delivered, we need the United Nations. The steadfast promise to “stay and deliver” is needed and deeply appreciated. Afghanistan is facing an economic and governance crisis which will only get worse if a functioning system of governance is not established quickly.”
2021-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/785 (2021) · source
“Allow me to reiterate once more: only a credible, sustainable and inclusive political solution based on the full and comprehensive implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) can bring sustainable peace to Syria and open the way for Syria to become once again the united, sovereign, prosperous and free country that we all want to see. The European Union will continue to support the Office of the Special Envoy in its efforts to bring about an inclusive political solution.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union insists that the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of origin will only be encouraged once these conditions are met. The underlying causes of the refugee and displacement crisis must be addressed through the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). The European Union continues to warn against any further displacements in any part of Syria, as well as against the potential exploitation of such d isplacements for the purposes of social and demographic engineering. The European Union, in line with the conclusions of the European Council, will be ready to assist in the reconstruction of Syria only when a comprehensive, genuine and inclusive political transition, within the framework of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) and the Geneva process, is firmly under way.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union will continue to support efforts to gather evidence with a view to future legal action, including by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and the work of the Commission of Inquiry. We welcome the initiative of the Netherlands, together with Canada, to invoke Syria’s responsibility for human rights violations. The Syrian refugee crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world, with 5.6 million registered refugees and another 6.7 million people displaced within Syria, and with conditions not in place for their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return in line with the parameters defined by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and in accordance with international law.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union further insists that the Syrian regime must cooperate fully with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), including in its investigations of the use of chemical weapons in the conflict, and deplores the continued lack of cooperation of the regime with OPCW. All those responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights law, some of which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, must be held accountable. The European Union reiterates its call to have the situation in Syria referred to the International Criminal Court. In the absence of avenues for international justice, the prosecution of war crimes under national jurisdictions where possible, now under way in several European Union member States, represents an important contribution towards securing justice.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“Turkey is a key partner of the European Union and a critically important actor in the Syrian crisis and the region. Turkey’s security concerns in the north-east of Syria should be addressed through political and diplomatic means, not by military action, and in full respect of international humanitarian law. Within Syria, violations of international law, including violations and abuses of human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, in particular the Syrian regime and its allies, remain persistent. The European Union continues to demand an end to repression, the release of detainees, and meaningful engagement by the Syrian regime and its allies towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union continues to call upon the Syrian regime and its allies, and indeed upon all parties to the conflict, to fully respect international humanitarian law, and in particular to permanently cease indiscriminate air strikes and the shelling of civilians and humanitarian workers. The European Union also notes with concern the ongoing insecurity in the north- east of Syria. Military action by any party in Syria renders ordinary life dangerous and intolerable for the civilian population. The European Union once again echoes the call made on a number of occasions by the United Nations and the Security Council for the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire, in line with Council resolutions 2254 (2015) and 2532 (2020).”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union recalls that a sixth meeting must take place as soon as possible, this time on the basis of a clear understanding of the working methodology and objectives. The European Union insists on engagement in good faith by all parties, and in particular by the Syrian regime, in the work of the Constitutional Committe e with the aim of achieving meaningful progress on constitutional reform. The European Union notes with interest Special Envoy Pedersen’s proposals for a new political format and for a “step-for-step” approach to move forward in the political process. In the north-west of Syria, the situation continues to be highly insecure. The ceasefire agreed in March 2020 is fragile and must be upheld and strengthened, civilians must be protected at all times, and attacks on civilian objects, including hospitals, must cease.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“Elections in Syria should take place only within the framework of a genuine political process, in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). The political process must be fully inclusive to ensure that all segments of Syria’s society are involved in shaping the country’s future unity and reconciliation. The European Union fully supports the efforts of the Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) in a comprehensive approach, including on the issue of detainees and missing persons and the establishment of a safe and neutral environment in order for free and fair elections to be held under United Nations supervision, and continues to encourage the work of the Syrian-led Constitutional Committee, under United Nations auspices.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian State and recalls that any sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine, inclusive political transition in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) and the Geneva communiqué of 2012 negotiated by the Syrian parties within the United Nations-led Geneva process, with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. The elections that took place in Syria on 26 May met none of the criteria for a genuinely democratic vote and did not contribute to the settlement of the conflict, and the European Union considers that these elections undermine efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union welcomes the unanimous adoption of Security Council resolution 2585 (2021), on 9 July 2021, which constitutes a considerable relief for the next 12 months for millions of Syrians who rely on the humanitarian assistance delivered through this mechanism for their survival. The renewal of the Council resolution on cross-border assistance continues to be vital, although by no means sufficient, as long as there is no adequate alternative to meet the immense, and growing, humanitarian needs in north-west Syria. After a decade of conflict, a political solution has yet to be reached. Conflict, violence and instability in Syria continue to have profound repercussions for the stability of the entire region, causing enormous human suffering, with millions of Syrians still displaced or living as refugees in other countries.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“Looking ahead, we need to explore the space for meaningful re-engagement between the parties, to develop confidence-building measures, to improve living conditions for ordinary people and to open up the path to the potential relaunch of the peace process, and we stand ready to engage with the new Israeli Government bilaterally as well as to support efforts to rebuild a meaningful political process. The European Union will renew its engagement with key international partners, including the United States and other partners in the region, as well as with a revived Middle East Quartet. Please allow me to turn to the situation in Syria.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“Until a just, fair, agreed and realistic solution to the refugee issue in accordance with international law is found, UNRWA remains crucial for providing the necessary protection and essential services for Palestine refugees, and we will continue to support UNRWA in all of its fields of operations, including in East Jerusalem. The European Union recalls that, together with its member States, it provided 75 per cent of last year ’s funding for UNRWA; it welcomes the additional financial support from other and new donors, including the renewed commitment from the United States, and calls upon all partners, including the Arab Gulf States, to increase their contributions to UNRWA.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union calls for the fundamental right to freedom of expression in areas under Palestinian Authority control to be upheld. The European Union reiterates its deep and genuine appreciation for the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and for its dedicated staff, who are working in an extremely difficult and challenging context. UNRWA is an essential provider of vital services to millions of Palestine refugees and a stabilizing force in the region.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“We reiterate our call on Israel to facilitate the holding of such elections across all of the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem. The European Union continues to stand ready to work with all of those involved in order to facilitate European Union observation of any electoral process. Palestinian civil society organizations and actors must be allowed to carry out their important task free from obstruction, harassment and intimidation. The European Union is shocked and saddened by the death of activist Nizar Banat following his arrest by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority, and we call for a full, independent investigation into his death and for those responsible to be held accountable.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source
“The European Union has consistently expressed its support for credible, inclusive and transparent elections for all Palestinians. We firmly believe that strong, inclusive, accountable and functioning democratic Palestinian institutions based on respect for the rule of law and human rights are vital for the Palestinian people, for democratic legitimacy and, ultimately, for the two-State solution. We strongly encourage all Palestinian actors to resume efforts to build on the successful talks between the factions over recent months, to adhere to previous agreements, to renounce violence and terrorism, to recognize Israel’s right to exist and to commit to democratic principles, including the rule of law. A new date for elections should be set without delay.”
2021-07-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/685 (2021) · source