YouSaid · the spoken record

Oyarzun Marchesi

lines on the record: 849
first: 2014-01-29
most recent: 2017-11-21
sittings or episodes: 139
sources: un-security-council

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“On that occasion, 113 States, showed their determination to agree to specific and tangible commitments related to the women and peace and security agenda. But, before I move on, I would like to express my thanks to the Secretary-General for his ongoing commitment, throughout his two mandates, to the women and peace and security agenda. I would also like to thank the Executive Director of UN-Women, my good friend Phumzile, and of course, Ms. Rita Lopidia for their truly exceptional briefings. Without those contributions, we would never reach our objectives. At the high-level review of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which my country had the honour of presiding over last year, it was made clear that each and every one of us have unavoidable responsibilities in that regard, and that it is up to us all to achieve results.”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I want to begin by commending the Russian presidency for organizing this debate. We need only look around the Chamber to see the high number of delegations of Member States that are joining us today, and look further up to see all the representatives of civil society, to realize that there is a very powerful commitment on the part of the international community as a whole to the women and peace and security agenda, because, as the Secretary-General so eloquently stated, this is not a favour, but simply something we must do. Exactly one year ago, I was in the same seat that Ambassador Churkin is sitting in now and presiding over a similar debate (see S/PV.7533).”
2016-10-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7793 (2016) · source
“In the coming months, we hope that those initiatives will converge in a coherent manner towards the goal we all agree on, that is, none other than to help the parties to overcome the current dynamic of estrangement in order to bring about the necessary conditions to resume negotiations.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“In order to do that, it must seriously take into account the various initiatives presented in recent months, while consistently finding ways to strengthen them and ensuring that they leverage their potential complementarity. In conclusion, we particularly reiterate our support to France in its efforts to organize an international conference. We have always endorsed that initiative, and we also support other initiatives under way, including the work of the Quartet and the initiatives of Russia and Egypt. We also reiterate the importance the Arab Peace Initiative has to jump-start the peace process.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“But we should also keep in mind that it is crucial for a possible Security Council statement to be vested with true value added. For that reason, it is also essential for us to carefully consider the right moment and mode of action. In short, once again, we fully agree that it is urgent and extremely important to reverse current trends and to find ways to unblock the peace process. This seems impossible without the international community's agreement and the understanding that the international community cannot impose a solution on the parties. Peace can ultimately be achieved only through direct negotiations between the parties. In that context, the Council must act.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Without a hopeful future for the Palestinian people, Israel's security also cannot be guaranteed. What we all want to see is a two-State solution whereby they can live in peace. The question that naturally arises, which all participants raised in the Arria Formula meeting, is what the Security Council can do to try to prevent that from unravelling. I will not beat around the bush. Again and again, through the months, the Council has debated the question of Palestine and has observed the danger that the two-State solution may no longer be viable. Yet again, Spain has stressed that it believes that the Council has a role to play on the question and a responsibility to fulfil. We continue to believe that and will continue to do so.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Thirdly, we also must not forget that the intra-Palestinian division has as well been an obstacle to peace. We hope that the municipal elections in Palestine can finally take place, as they represent a very valuable opportunity to advance the process of reconciliation among Palestinians, which is of the utmost importance to advance towards peace. Fourthly, I was greatly moved by the data Mr. O'Brien provided, much of which was not new to me. I will not reiterate it all. But I do wish to recall that 70 per cent of the population in the Gaza Strip does not have regular access to running water, and 40 per cent of those who are ill cannot leave Gaza to obtain treatment. Another 60 per cent of young people in Gaza are unemployed, which means there is no future for Gaza nor for Palestine.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We also believe that the expansion of settlements is counterproductive to the Israel's own interests, because, by continuing on this path, the reality on the ground will end up leading to a one-State solution, which would not seem to be the best way to ensure Israel's security, which is also absolutely necessary. Secondly, the settlements are not the only obstacle to peace. Terrorism is also an obstacle, in addition to being unjustifiable in every case and in all circumstances. I would like to express our condolences to the families of the victims of the attack on 9 October in Jerusalem, for which we express our strongest condemnation. We also condemn the messages of incitement to violence, which we have again heard in recent days. The parties must halt the incitement to violence and refrain from the disproportionate use of force.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Hagai El-Ad, recalled that as far back as six years ago, Vice-President Biden described the status quo as unsustainable. But even if we have been repeating that the status quo is not sustainable so for such a long time, it is notjust rhetoric. There are some things that need to be repeated, and I am doing so again today. First, with regard to the settlements, as we already said on Friday, we believe that Israel should stop the construction of the settlements and the demolition of Palestinian structures. These activities are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“However, since we have the representative of Palestine and the representative of Israel at this table today, as is customary, and since the Security Council can address the various aforementioned issues on a separate basis, I am now going to focus essentially on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. After receiving all the information we received a few days ago in the Arria Formula meeting on the settlements, it would be difficult to have any doubt that the two-State solution is in serious danger of disappearing as a viable option, and if the two-State solution disappears, it would benefit neither Palestine nor Israel. What is true is that all members of the Security Council have heard and repeated that phrase over and over again for too long. Not surprisingly, last Friday one of the speakers, Mr.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank Mr. Nickolay Mladenov for his briefing, as well as Mr. Stephen O'Brien. They have described for us in great detail the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East region in general. This is a debate in which one could speak about the critical situation in Syria, one could speak about the efforts that Jordan and Lebanon have been making to address the refugee crisis, one could speak about the critical situation in Yemen, or one could speak about Mosul, to which Mr. O'Brien has just referred.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“It is for that reason that we shall listen attentively to the statement made by the Ambassador of Haiti and to his thoughts and expectations as to MINUSTAH, as well the contributions of countries involved in the Mission. Finally, Spain aligns itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union later in this meeting.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“For this reason it is pertinent that the mission be deployed once a new President has taken office - one who has been democratically elected in Haiti - and preferably once his new Government team is in place. Spain would like to highlight the need for these recommendations, in addition to being based on the results of the strategic assessment mission, to deal with the politico-institutional situation in the country and assess its impact on security and stability in Haiti. We also support the notion that the Security Council should work in the most inclusive and transparent manner possible and that its decisions always take the interests and opinions ofthe States affected by them into account.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“Moreover, Spain considers it timely to deploy a strategic assessment mission, circumstances permitting, in order to evaluate what form the role and presence of the United Nations in Haiti should take once the MINUSTAH mandate expires. Spain has always maintained in its statements before the Council that decisions on MINUSTAH must be adopted in a flexible manner, depending on foresight and analyses of the short- and medium-term, as well as the changing political and security situations. This is simply because we should not risk the progress that has already been achieved. We believe the evalution of the strategic assessment mission should be carried out in close collaboration with the new Haitian Government in order to ensure the success of the transition.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“It is therefore vital for the Government to establish, as soon as possible, a new date for the elections that were planned for 9 October, thereby reactivating the electoral process already under way. The country's return to constitutional order is more of a priority than ever. Spain believes that the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) continues to be fundamental in order to ensure the necessary security conditions for the country. In the current circumstances, its contribution to security in the electoral process is even more relevant. Spain therefore supports the renewal of the MINUSTAH mandate until April 2017. As the Secretary-General recommends, we should maintain the current authorized troop level, which we believe to be essential for the mission to fulfil its mandate.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“The important thing is the immediacy of the Spanish response, which reflects the traditional solidarity of all the people of Spain with the friendly country of Haiti. Spain maintains and will maintain its commitment to Haiti, which continues to be - and I want to underscore this - the main beneficiary of Spanish official development assistance in the world. The tragic situation in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew means that we must reflect on the country's urgent need for a Government elected through democratic, inclusive, free and transparent elections - one that can provide a strong institutional basis to promote the development and capacity of the country to confront the major challenges that lie ahead.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his latest report (S/20l6/753), as well by expressing my gratitude for the briefing provided by Special Representative Sandra Honore. As a consequence of Hurricane Matthew, Haiti is once again suffering a new humanitarian crisis, the most devastating since the 2010 earthquake. We deeply regret this new blow dealt by nature. From the start, Spain has been in contact with the Haitian authorities and, in coordination with the international community, and has rapidly mobilized emergency assistance. I shall not dwell upon the details; I simply refer to the more than half a million dollars worth of aid, with two consignments sent on 10 and 11 October, respectively.”
2016-10-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7789 (2016) · source
“From the seat we occupy here as a non-permanent member of this organ, we will work tirelessly to ensure that is the case.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“France and Spain have done everything within their power to garner the support of the 15 members of the Security Council. This has been a sincere effort to incorporate the various points of view, while always respecting the main purpose of the draft resolution - nothing less than avoiding catastrophe in Aleppo and slowing the escalation of violence. We note that we are near to achieving consensus. We still hope that the countries seated around this table will allow the adoption of this draft resolution. We still have time to make the right decision. Lastly, Spain would like to express its gratitude to the many States Members of the United Nations that are sponsoring this draft resolution. We interpret that support as a message that the Security Council should fulfil the responsibility entrusted to it by the Charter.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“The draft resolution therefore establishes that it ought to be the United Nations that determines the number ofbeneficiaries and the needs ofalmost 900,000 civilians in Syria. We also call for an investigation into the attack on the United Nations-Red Crescent convoy at Urum Al-Kubra on 19 September. We will not rest until we have done everything possible to ensure that those responsible are held accountable before justice. We hope that, wherever they may, they will listen clearly to this message today on the part of all members of the Security Council. Lastly, the draft resolution calls for a return to the path of dialogue as soon as possible, while also expressing our full support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“The draft resolution in effect calls for the immediate observance of a ceasefire throughout the entire country. We also aim to improve the monitoring mechanism, which has not worked as desired in recent months. We call on the Security Council - for the first time since the war in Syria began - to send a clear message to the parties to isolate the terrorist groups in Syria, who are posing a threat to the entire international community. Secondly, we aim to ensure once and for all that humanitarian access is in the hands of the professionals of the United Nations and of the Red Crescent. It is intolerable that the Syrian Government continues to block assistance to its own population, using fictitious bureaucratic hurdles and deliberate tactics, such as removing medical materials, which amount to war crimes.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“We therefore demand an immediate halt to aerial attacks, which are terrorizing the 275,000 civilians trapped in the eastern part of the city. The main goal of the draft resolution is to save from disaster an ancient city at risk of being levelled to the ground by the brutality of a fratricidal war. Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, clearly expressed our view here in the Security Council when the increase in clashes began in late September (see S/PV.7774). He identified three essential steps on which we must focus our efforts. The first was to ensure that a ceasefire takes effect; the second was to ensure humanitarian access; and the third was to create the necessary conditions to relaunch United Nations mediation.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): Along with France, Spain has supported this draft resolution (S/20l6/846) on Aleppo in order to try to respond to a desperate situation. During more than five years ofa heart-breaking conflict in Syria, we have seen indiscriminate attacks against civilians. We have seen both parties destroy hospitals, schools and even humanitarian convoys. We have seen with alarm the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian army. In spite of that, we are here today because the worst phase of the war in Syria could still lie ahead. The offensive by President Al-Assad against eastern Aleppo is a tragedy against which the international community cannot turn its back. As the French Minister for Foreign Affairs has correctly said, this draft resolution seeks to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”
2016-10-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7785 (2016) · source
“I am referring to the attack of 19 September and to the attacks that apparently took place this morning in Aleppo. Spain is prepared to contribute human and material resources so that such investigations can be carried out. However, we need the consensus of all 15 members of the Council. This is where we would ask for special efforts from those that are directly involved in armed conflicts. Our commitment to resolution 2286 (2016) is devalued every time we fail to act. As Ms. Liu urged the Council on 3 May (see S/PV.7685), let us use this resolution as a tool to save lives, rather than continuing to devalue the work of the Security Council.”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“We are failing the patients of the hospitals that have been bombed in South Sudan. We owe them all an answer. Once again, the Council has the necessary tools at its disposal. What is lacking in the Council is simple, namley, the political will to take action. The report of the Secretary-General refers to various measures - for example, the use of sanctions and referring certain cases to the International Criminal Court. I would like to state clearly that Spain supports those measures, but we also have other, simpler options within our reach. For example, the Council could, if it had the political will, agree to demand a swift, independent, impartial and effective investigation in response to the most serious attacks, as established in resolution 2286 (2016).”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“Our first impression during the five months since resolution 2286 (2016) was adopted is that much still remains to be done. We are also part of the Group of Friends of Resolution 2286 (2016), which is already under way in Geneva, and Spain would like to convene a meeting of this Group at least once a year here in New York. I shall now briefly address the response that should be given by the Security Council regarding the attacks on doctors and hospitals. This is the most important part of what I have to say, and the great unresolved issue of resolution 2286 (2016): we must recognize that we are failing. We are failing the doctors in Aleppo, as we have done this week. We are failing the MSF clinics that had to close down in Yemen last summer, something we have not forgotten.”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“Accordingly, members of the Council, particularly those that sponsored the initiative, are especially responsible in this area. We must bear in mind the need to protect doctors and hospitals in all decisions made by the Council, from the mandates for peacekeeping operations - which we are constantly revising - to the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and the dialogues that we have with the Special Envoys of the Secretary-General. This change of culture also implies maintaining more regular contact with specialized organizations in order to benefit from the exchange of information and to find solutions. As far as Spain is concerned, we are following up on all our activities with the aim of producing a best practices guide for future members of the Security Council. This will be the legacy we leave in this area.”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“The first is reforming the rules of engagement to prohibit a military presence and the stockpiling of military materiel in the vicinity of hospitals and other medical facilities. The second is the use of new technologies to prevent attacks and, if necessary, to document incidents. We would call upon all Member States to put those measures into practice as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, I would like to address the role of members of the Council. It is obvious that we have the responsibility to be realistic; we have to accept that attacks on health-care workers during armed conflicts cannot be curbed by a simple resolution. Nevertheless, resolution 2286 (2016) can serve as a basis for a change of culture within the Security Council.”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“The idea arose at a meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Syria at the beginning of the year between Spain, New Zealand and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). That is why today I wished to exercise some self-criticism on the basis of the report of the Secretary-General in order to analyse the role that Security Council members should play and the response that the Council should give as a collective body with regard to attacks on doctors and hospitals. I would like to begin by expressing our full support for the recommendations of the Secretary-General, which show us the path we should follow to comply with resolution 2286 (2016). Some ofthose recommendations could have immediate effect on the ground, of which I shall cite two examples.”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank the Secretary-General for his report (S/2016/722, annex) and for his dedication. I thank Ms. Liu and Mr. Maurer for their respective briefings. I have listened with the utmost attention to Ms. Liu and have taken on board her proposal that the Secretary- General assign a Special Representative to deal with these issues. I have also listened attentively to my good friend Mr. Maurer regarding his four proposals on legislation, data collection, accountability and the adoption of contingency plans. Above all, I thank them for the outstanding work they are doing for the enormous number of people around the world who are working to save the lives of others, often sacrificing their own lives in the process. Spain was one ofthe sponsors ofresolution 2286 (2016). When did the idea crop up?”
2016-09-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7779 (2016) · source
“We are open to considering options to improve the supervision of the cessation of hostilities, as proposed by France. However, the most urgent matter is to put an end to the fighting, in particular the indiscriminate attacks against civilians, the besieging of citizens uninvolved in the conflict and the destruction of critical buildings and infrastructure necessary for the survival of the inhabitants of Aleppo. I conclude with a reference to the attack against the United Nations/Syrian Arab Red Crescent convoy on 19 September. This is not just another serious attack against civilians in recent days, but also a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law that cannot go unpunished. We will attentively follow the conclusions of the investigation opened by the Secretary-General in order to demand accountability to an adequate extent.”
2016-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7777 (2016) · source
“We continue to trust that it could serve as a basis for a new agreement between the co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group. We support that proposal primarily because we believe that our priority should be on the humanitarian community, which requires minimum measures of confidence so that the conveyance of aid to Aleppo can resume. But we support it as well because we are aware of the importance of separating the opposition from terrorist groups. As highlighted by our Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Garcia-Margallo, here a few days ago (see S/PV.7774), it is important to draw the line and make it clear to the opposition that the time has come to make a choice, to decide which side they are on, without any ambiguity.”
2016-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7777 (2016) · source
“It is now up to those members of the Security Council with direct influence on the Al-Assad government, the Russian Federation in particular, to put an end to the escalation of violence in Aleppo. Despite the very serious nature of the situation, Spain continues to believe that it is still possible to find a way out of this conflict through diplomatic means: we are with Staffan. There are three key steps upon which we - the International Syria Support Group and the Security Council - must concentrate our efforts: first, guaranteeing a ceasefire; secondly, ensuring humanitarian access; and, thirdly, creating the necessary conditions to resume United Nations mediation. Spain therefore supports the proposal put forward by the United States to put an end to the air strikes.”
2016-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7777 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank France, the United Kingdom and the United States for calling this meeting. It was necessary that the Security Council meet today, given the worsening situation. We are facing the most intensive wave of air strikes since the war in Syria began. I thank Mr. Staffan de Mistura for his work and for his refusal to throw in the towel. Our first message can only be a firm condemnation of the brutality of the attacks that have taken place in recent days. The rejection of the cessation of hostilities by the Al-Assad regime and its declared intention to take over eastern Aleppo through assault certainly contravenes every resolution of the Security Council regarding this conflict. In the face of this challenge, the international community has the responsibility to take urgent measures.”
2016-09-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7777 (2016) · source
“That is why we also believe it is important to include strategic and disaggregated information on the issue in the regular briefings to the Council and in the periodic reports of the Secretary-General. The next UNAMA debate, to be held under the Spanish presidency, should be a good time to address the issue. I do not want to conclude without reiterating Spain's support for the efforts towards a peace and reconciliation process led by and for Afghans. That is the only way to guarantee lasting, stable peace. To those ends, cooperation and coordination by all stakeholders in the region is essential - above all, there is no substitute for it.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“We also welcome the commitments undertaken by the Government of Afghanistan in recent months, in particular the adoption of its national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000) and its national strategy on the elimination of violence against women. We encourage the Government to invest in effectively implementing them. The challenges are huge and much remains to be done, but this is the correct path. We also welcome the fact that gender training for UNAMA personnel has been improved and that the leadership of the Mission meets regularly to develop and follow up on its women and peace and security strategy as part of its efforts to ensure that its Afghan interlocutors give greater importance to the participation and protection of women and girls in Afghanistan. For Spain, that is not a side issue; it is central.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Spain adamantly condemns all acts of terrorism, irrespective of their justification, and we reiterate our support for the Government of Afghanistan in its fight against that scourge. Such actions will not succeed in dampening the determination of the Afghan people to bring about a stable and prosperous Afghanistan - a process in which Afghan women will undoubtedly be called upon to play an important role. I thank the Ambassador Saikal for referring to that issue in his statement. As a delegation that is particularly committed to that issue, I would also like to thank Special Representative Yamamoto for his commitment to the women and peace and security agenda. In July, together with his team, he briefed the informal group of experts pursuant to resolution 2242 (2015) and gave us detailed and valuable information on the issue.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“I would now like to refer to the political situation in Afghanistan, to which the Special Representative referred and which is the subject of the report (S/2016/768) of the Secretary-General. Spain supports the Secretary-General's call to all political leaders in Afghanistan to demonstrate responsibility and a spirit of cooperation and to always give pride of place to the common interests and the well-being of the citizens of Afghanistan as they try to find answers to the challenges the country faces. The upcoming Brussels Conference serves to highlight the necessity and importnace of such unity, both along the path to the Conference itself as well as in the period immediately following it. Moreover, I cannot fail to mention the delicate security situation prevailing in the country.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“We are a few weeks away from what will undoubtedly be the most important international encounter for Afghanistan of recent years. I am referring to the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan to be held in October. At the Conference, the Government of Afghanistan will share with the international community its new National Peace and Development Framework, which is its strategy to continue its in-depth work on economic, social and institutional development in the country on the basis of the notable successes achieved in previous years. For our part, we members of the international community will have an opportunity to renew our political and financial support for those ongoing efforts for the benefit of all Afghans.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Allow me as well, as I customarily do - and I would not have it any other way - to associate myself with the statement to be delivered later by the observer of the European Union on behalf of its member States. Today, we adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2016/14) on Afghanistan. That may be easy to say, but it is of great importance. First, that is because of the relevance of that instrument. We should point that the Council had not adopted a presidential statement on Afghanistan since 2014. Secondly, that is because this adoption underscores once again the unity of the Security Council in its support for Afghanistan, its Government and its citizens - something that is extremely important at this time. Thirdly, that is because of its timeliness.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (Spoke in Spanish): I would like to begin by thanking you, Minister McCully, for agreeing to preside over this meeting of the Security Council. I believe that reflects not just just the importance that New Zealand attaches to this debate, but also the shared feeling among the members of the Council in our support of Afghanistan. I would also like to welcome the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ambassador Tadamichi Yamamoto, on his first appearance in the Chamber. The Special Representative can count on Spain's support, and I am sure he can count on the trust of the Security Council.”
2016-09-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7771 (2016) · source
“Spain is very proud to participate in the United Nations mission in Colombia by providing 22 observers, 25 per cent of whom are women, which particularly pleased us, especially since that is in line with the request made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. To conclude, within the specific context of the laying down of arms and the ceasefire, towards which the mission is working, there are other aspects - such as demining, reintegration, reparations and restitution for victims - that are particularly important in order to establish a lasting peace. With regard to support in those areas, which the international community is providing, Colombia can always count on Spain.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Colombians have not given into that fatigue, and on 26 August made history with the signing of the final peace Agreement. Through its effort, determination and courage, Colombia seems committed to rejecting once and for all the argument of Alvaro Mutis, who wrote that the human species is hopeless. Today we have adopted a second resolution - resolution 2307 (2016) - with 15 votes in favour and 15 sponsors on the mission in Colombia, which has just clarified several aspects of its mandate but maintains the focus on defined tasks within specified time frames as requested by the parties.”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I thank you, Sir, for all your efforts and for presiding over this meeting, which has a very special meaning for Spain. In January, Colombia asked the Security Council to support the peace process, which had not yet been concluded, while the ceasefire had not yet been achieved. Contrary to the natural tendency of the Council, a special mission was authorized. That was certainly an unusual occurrence, explained by the fact that the Council was fully convinced on that occasion that the people of Colombia were going to successfully achieve peace. It was a wager for Colombia and Colombians. The universally known author Miguel de Cervantes wrote, "The goal that we seek tires us all the more when we are closer to the hope of obtaining it".”
2016-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7768 (2016) · source
“Obviously, first and foremost, the national authorities, but the national authorities also have a duty to protect their own citizens. It is the African leaders who will shoulder that difficult task. We in the international community must support them in strengthening their own institutions. Experience has shown us that the most successful examples of post-conflict reconstruction are those where it has been possible to sequence institutional reform in an intelligent way, starting with security reforms and moving on to justice-sector reforms and then to reconciliation mechanisms. Experience also tells us that the cycle of conflict can be overcome only if- and I think that this is the most important thing I am going to say - we manage to involve the participation of the entire population of a country.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“However, one interesting possibility that I might suggest to the Security Council is that we consider establishing an automatic transition mechanism that would make it possible to take advantage of the potential of the Peacebuilding Commission in order to fill, on an immediate basis, the vacuum left by the withdrawal of a peacekeeping mission. That would help in situations such as that in the Central African Republic, which is beginning to transition from the urgent situation of peacekeeping to the sustained efforts necessary for peacebuilding. It is essential to avoid situations in which countries that are no longer on the agenda of the Security Council find themselves left alone to face their problems. The third major lesson is the ability to establish priorities. Who should establish priorities?”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“I will give an example: Guinea-Bissau, where the preventive efforts of the United Nations, including those of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, might already be bearing fruit. Or consider Somalia, as I mentioned earlier, where the excellent cooperation among the various institutions is making it possible for us to be truly optimistic. The second lesson has to do with flexibility. I think that it has become stereotypical, a platitude, to say, as we often do, that there is no single recipe for the mandates of peacekeeping operations and special political missions.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“Fortunately, there are more positive examples than negative examples - Burkina Faso, where the instruments of the rule of law have triumphed, and Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, where the crisis caused by Ebola was overcome, or even Somalia, which was a perfect example of a failed State and today sees light at the end of the tunnel. I shall therefore focus on the positive examples in order to try to draw three clear and enlightening lessons from the situation and strengthen our efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the African continent. First, if we take a comprehensive approach, we can see that peacebuilding is a cycle. It is not just one event. It is a cycle, a process that begins with one fundamental word, "prevention".”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“We have not been able to help the people of Burundi to build lasting, sustainable peace; nor have we managed to unify ourselves in the Security Council so as to convey to its Government the need to define a solution to the crisis. The horrors of the 1990s come to mind. South Sudan is another case where the inability of the country's leaders is largely to blame for the situation. I recall that just a few years ago at the United Nations we celebrated with joy the independence of South Sudan. Today we are looking at a very different South Sudan.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source
“Mr. Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): Why have we not been able to collectively ensure a future of peace for Africa? Well, the truth is that there is no simple reply. That is why I am particularly grateful to the Japanese presidency of the Security Council for having organized this debate. I also thank our invitees for their briefings, which have given us a clearer picture of the reality. A decade after the United Nations and the African Union developed instruments for peacebuilding, such as the Peacebuilding Commission, we still have not broken the Vicious circle of conflict. The situations in Burundi and in South Sudan are sad examples of that fact.”
2016-07-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7750 (2016) · source