YouSaid · the spoken record

Safronkov

lines on the record: 808
first: 2008-04-30
most recent: 2020-03-12
sittings or episodes: 103
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

“We would highlight in particular the fact that in 2018 the Kuwaiti leadership held a conference on the reconstruction of Iraq, which once again demonstrates their readiness to move forward in making progress in Iraq and in establishing sound bilateral relations. During the course of the visit, it was stated time and again that there was a need to de-escalate tensions in the Persian Gulf region. Every State in the region has an interest in this, as do international partners without exception. We reiterate the timeliness of the Russian concept on guaranteeing collective security in the Persian Gulf, and we advocate heightening the profile of the United Nations in implementing mediation-based diplomacy.”
2019-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8571 (2019) · source
“Contacts with regional players once again confirm that the Security Council mission remains an important part of the Council's activities and plays a key role in enabling it to take balanced decisions. That is what we have all heard in the region. We welcome the fact that during our visit to Baghdad and Kuwait City we heard that there was an intention to engage in good-neighbourly cooperation and to help to resolve crisis situations in the region through political and diplomatic means. We note the activities carried out by Iraqis and Kuwaitis in re-establishing historical fairness in what we call the Iraq-Kuwaiti humanitarian dossier, which is a legacy of the first Gulf War.”
2019-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8571 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): The Russian Federation thanks the delegations of Kuwait and the United States for having organized the Security Council's regional visit to Kuwait City and Baghdad. We underscore the importance and timely nature of this kind of visit, as well as the efforts made by the leadership of Kuwait and Iraq to cooperate with the Security Council. We note in particular the efforts of the Special Representative for Iraq, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and her team to ensure the superb organization of the visit and for the assistance they provided to the Iraqi authorities in the process of achieving national reconciliation and the recovery of the country's economy.”
2019-07-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8571 (2019) · source
“Establishing international cooperation requires a decisive rejection of policies of escalation and a switch from confrontation to dialogue and cooperation, and I want to emphasize once again that that applies to Syria, Iran and other countries in the region.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Has history really taught our colleagues nothing? We need only look at the destruction of statehood that has resulted from illegitimate outside interventions in various Arab States. We call on everyone interested in restoring peace to Syria to engage constructively with our efforts. We can end the war and focus on the issues of the political process and national reconciliation, which Mr. Pedersen is actively working on. Together we can guarantee the rights of the minorities, including the Christians who have lived in the Middle East for thousands of years. The situation in Syria and the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“It cannot be artificially ripped from the broader regional context for the sake of circumstantial expediency. In that regard, we support returning Damascus to the Arab family as soon as possible, which will enable the restoration, normalization and improvement of relations among Arabs and in the situation in the Middle East as a whole. Incidentally, that is a natural and objective process that is progressing despite resistance from outside. It is high time that many of our colleagues took another look at their outdated approaches to the Syrian issue, which have been overtaken by history. It is time to abandon the pressure, the attempts at isolation and the open flirtations with illegal armed groups, which easily change their loyalties and are not ashamed to cooperate with outright terrorists.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“However, there was detailed information about this in Major General Bakin's briefing (see S/PV.8561), so I would once again ask Council members to read it carefully. We urge everyone to once and for all reject unilateral sanctions, which only exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Syria. Its citizens are suffering in large part because ofthose restrictions, and Syria is experiencing serious problems in its health- care, fuel and energy sectors. Russia will continue to provide Syria with comprehensive support on issues regarding the reconstruction of infrastructure and the delivery of humanitarian assistance, both bilaterally and internationally, including through the United Nations system. We again underscore that Syria was, is and will remain a key State in the Middle East and an integral part of the Arab world.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“We are in Syria at the invitation of the legitimate Government. It is clear that, as the situation in Syria is normalized, the main hotbeds of terrorism are eliminated and the country is restored to peace, the problems of post-conflict recovery and the provision of humanitarian assistance will come to the fore. Humanitarian aid must be provided to all Syrians throughout Syria, without preconditions. It is important to provide assistance for Syria's reconstruction in strict compliance with the norms of international humanitarian law and the principles of neutrality and impartiality, without bias and in cooperation with the central authorities. We must work to create the conditions needed to support the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in Syria.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“We hope that we will soon be able to achieve a breakthrough in the launch of the constitutional committee. Russia's representatives have been holding intensive consultations on the subject in the past few days, with the opposition and other stakeholders involved in the conflict as well as the Syrian authorities. It goes without saying that the strategic aim oflaunching a full- fledged political process in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations and Special Envoy Pedersen, based on resolution 2254 (2015), is unchanged. I have emphasized that in spite of the situation that has been whipped up, often artificially, including in today's Council meeting, we remain optimistic about future developments in the Syrian Arab Republic, because we are working fully in accordance with international law.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Ensuring stability and security in this area will be possible only ifit is based on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and the rejection of separatist plans that undermine the national security of Syria and its neighbours. Generally speaking, it is baffling that on the one hand we are being asked to provide more information and details about what is going on, and then, when we invite our representative - who is working in the country and carrying out important national reconciliation tasks - to brief the Council, that briefing is suddenly questioned. In fact, it was questioned before it had even been delivered, and by countries that are illegally occupying Syria and violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Their content remains the same and the fight against terrorist organizations that have been recognized as such by the Security Council - by all of us, unanimously - must continue. The Astana guarantors are determined to fully implement the agreements on stabilizing Idlib and are actively cooperating to that end with Syria, Iran and Turkey. We are scrupulously implementing the memorandum that we drafted, agreed on and signed in Sochi. Instead of demanding that we implement what we ourselves agreed on and signed, it would be better for everyone to get involved in the fight against terrorism. That would be a real contribution to achieving the Syrian settlement. We are seriously concerned about the situation in north-eastern Syria.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“There can be no denying that militias from the terrorist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, which is essentially the Al-Nusra Front, have not stopped their provocative attacks on Syrian Armed Forces positions, the country's civilian population and the Russian air base at Khmeimim. Urging or demanding that we do nothing in this situation is at the very least dishonest, especially when Major General has confirmed that our military operations are directed exclusively at targets that have been confirmed by intelligence. We are not harming the civilian population or humanitarian infrastructure in any way. We are concerned about the fact that the Al-Nusra Front's members are trying to refashion themselves into a moderate opposition. We all know very well that rebranding does not mean refraining from terrorist activities.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“We are collaborating diligently with our Astana format partners, Iran and Turkey, while staying in constant contact with the Special Envoy and coordinating with Syria's Government and opposition. On 25 June Major General Bakin, the Head of the Russian Reconciliation Centre, gave the Security Council a thorough briefing on the military and political situation in Syria (see S/PV.8561), which we found extremely useful and informative, with exhaustive answers to many of the questions that have been raised in the Council. Members should familiarize themselves with it. The Russian representative gave particular attention in his statement to the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): First of all, Sir, we very much appreciate your work as President of the Security Council, as well as the efforts of the entire Kuwaiti team. We also thank Special Envoy Pedersen for his briefing. We share the views he expressed and support his efforts to achieve a lasting settlement in Syria. It is crucial that he has been able to establish and maintain an ongoing and constructive dialogue with all of the parties involved and is working to bring their positions closer together on both the regional and international fronts. Russia is working actively to advance the political process and restore confidence between the key parties within and around Syria.”
2019-06-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8567 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): I would just like to correct my British colleague. All the answers to her questions are contained in Major General Bakin's statement. She simply needs to read and listen to it again thoroughly. It contains exhaustive answers, including with regard to humanitarian matters. The meeting rose at 5.15 pm.”
2019-06-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8561 (2019) · source
“Russia is ready to cooperate constructively with partners on all issues on the Middle East agenda on a platform - to which there is no alternative - for seeking political ways to overcome the existing challenges. Establishing joint political rather than military efforts for the Middle East demands that we renounce any arbitrary concepts of a rules-based order and return to respect for the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“Measures must be taken to spread a culture of peace among religious groups, which will help to prevent new upheavals based on ethnicity or religion and protect the Christians and other religious minorities who have lived in the Middle East for thousands of years and have been a vital cultural and civilizational element, professing principles of tolerance, but who have had to leave the region having become targets of genocide. However, rather than imposing an outdated herd mentality aimed against the other, we should act with a view to creating platforms for dialogue that will enable us to pursue the quest for solutions to the security issues in the Middle East. We want to once again draw attention to the related Russian initiative on a security architecture for the Middle East.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We assume that this principle will guide the work of the United Nations and all the parties concerned. We will continue our active support for the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which has a serious political dimension as well as a humanitarian one. The instability in the Middle East requires united measures. We urgently need to take steps to overcome the impasse in the Palestinian-Israeli issue.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“Russia will continue to cooperate in establishing a positive agenda for a settlement in the Middle East. Our proposal for holding a summit in Russia between the leaders of Palestine and Israel remains on the table. It is high time to implement the Russian initiative for a Security Council mission to the Middle East. We have been working for decades to establish contacts with all the parties, and we can help to restore unity among the Palestinians. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Egypt in that regard. We also need active international measures aimed at improving the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. However, any assistance for Gaza must be provided in coordination with the legitimate authorities under President Abbas and should be part of the efforts to restore Palestinian unity.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We would like to remind Council members of the Quartet's 2016 report, which includes a detailed road map for the resumption of a sustainable political process. Historically, Russia has supported trusting, friendly relations with both the Israelis and the Palestinians. That is Why we believe that establishing a political process to implement a two-State formula not only meets Palestinians' expectations but also satisfies Israel's security concerns. We believe it is vital to involve the countries of the region and the League of Arab States more actively in the efforts to achieve peace in Palestine and the Middle East as a whole. We support a strong and united League with regard to a number of international issues, including the Palestinian question.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We see no alternative to a two-State solution. Any proposals for improving the economic situation in the Palestinian territories must be part of a package with the political components of a settlement, or the peace initiatives are doomed to failure. We want to point out that there has been an international consensus on this issue for many years. The status of the occupied Palestinian territories and other occupied territories, including the Syrian Golan, is determined by the relevant Security Council resolutions. No unilateral steps can change that reality. We believe firmly that no breakthroughs can succeed in isolation. History has shown that. We consider the Middle East Quartet of international mediators to be a unique mechanism, endorsed by Security Council resolutions, and a relevant and essential format.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“The Special Representatives of the Secretary-General are working actively to find formulas for resolving other conflicts in hotspots in the region. Work is being done to bolster efforts to combat the threat of terrorism, which can be defeated only by putting together a front that is as united as possible. However, the quest for a solution to the key Middle East issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still at an impasse. This area has recently been dominated by dangerous trends, in the form of unilateral measures and aggressive revisions of previously settled agreements. In our view, the international legal basis for a settlement in the Middle East, including the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, adopted by the Heads of State of the Arab world, and the Madrid principles, remains inviolable.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We want to once again remind the Council of the mandate whereby resolution 598 (1987) requests the Secretary-General to examine measures for the security of the region in consultation with the parties in the region. Security is indivisible. It is one and the same for everyone, without exception, and no preference for any individual State. A formula that says what is permitted for some is forbidden for others is not going to work. We cannot allow a new fault line to nullify the positive trends that we have been seeing recently in the region. Life in most of the Syrian Arab Republic is gradually returning to normal. Iraq, which has chosen to make good-neighbourly relations a priority of its foreign policy, is receiving political and economic assistance.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“That crisis is threatening peace and security in the region along with the international efforts to resolve the crises and conflicts there, including between Palestine and Israel. This is an urgent warning. Any adventurist attempts using force, should they be carried out, will at the very least bring disaster. It is not hard to predict that there would be outbreaks of violence and new waves of migration, and the consequences for anyone making such attempts would be horrifying. What we need is immediate de-escalation and efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of the current disputes. Confrontation must give way to dialogue, right now.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Mr. Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for his briefing on the situation in the Palestinian occupied territories. Resolving the Palestinian question and achieving a comprehensive Middle East settlement based on Security Council resolutions must remain a priority for world diplomacy. We say that because the Middle East is still in the grip of destabilizing trends, many of them intentionally introduced from outside. The result is that new crises are piled on top of old ones. In our opinion, the recent growing tension in the Persian Gulf is being artificially Whipped up.”
2019-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8557 (2019) · source
“We firmly believe that the defining criterion for all peace initiatives and for the elections planned for September must be the goal of uniting the entire country and all Afghans, without exception. Without it, the conflict will only worsen. The task is to maintain a united and indivisible Afghanistan where tolerance prevails and its many ethnic groups coexist in peace and harmony. Based on those principles, and those principles alone, we are open to cooperate with regional and international partners.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“The quest for peace in Afghanistan requires strategic patience in order to ensure that the formula for a final settlement, designed to result in a comprehensive agreement, not only promotes national reconciliation among all patriotic political forces, but also unites them on a platform of reconstruction for Afghanistan and collective opposition to terrorist entities, of which the country has more than 20, including the Islamic State and Al-Qaida. We are confident that once Afghans are united they will be able to end that threat and put the country on a path to sustainable development, which has to be the basis for the prosperity of all its citizens, including women, as well for strengthening the democratic foundations of Afghan society.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We see good potential for strengthening the cooperation between Afghanistan and the CSTO. After years of conflict, the efforts to reach a settlement in Afghanistan require engagement and constructive dialogue among all its neighbours, and there should be no exceptions. We believe there is no alternative to that, for only good-neighbourliness, collaboration and cooperation will make it possible to resolve the acute problems of Afghanistan today. It will be vital to ensure that the international and regional efforts are aligned.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We assume that the various international actors who have decided to showcase their efforts in the area of national reconciliation in Afghanistan will play by the same rules and take into account of the gains already made in the Moscow format and the trilateral dialogue between Russia, the United States and China. What is needed is cooperation, not artificial competition, and that is what Afghanistan wants, too. We want to point to the world's growing understanding of the importance that the regional context also has for an Afghan settlement, and the need in that regard to harness the potential of proven bodies, particularly the CSTO and the SCO. We want to highlight the revived mechanism ofthe SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group. We were pleased that Afghanistan participated as Chair in the Contact Group's meeting in Bishkek this spring.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We are ready to continue our full cooperation in furthering the process of national reconciliation, and that purpose is what guides us in implementing our own efforts in that area. With that in mind, we held a second meeting of the Moscow consultations format, with major participation by interested parties. We support a policy of making the upcoming peace process in Afghanistan as inclusive as possible, involving all the country's social and political forces, including the opposition. We believe that a broad dialogue is key to achieving peace in Afghanistan. In that regard, we support the continuation of the inter-Afghan dialogue launched in Moscow in February, especially since the meeting displayed all Afghans' genuine interest and desire to achieve peace and reconciliation.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“As was the case 100 years ago, today we are driven by the desire to help Afghanistan become a peaceful, independent State, free from terrorism and drugs. We intend to continue to work with our Afghan friends on eliminating security threats, particularly from ISIL and Al-Qaida, and strengthening the capacity of civil, security and anti-drug structures. We are sincerely interested in seeing a national reconciliation process, and the country's subsequent stabilization, take place as soon as possible, led by the Afghans themselves. We believe firmly that everyone 4 Afghanistan, its neighbours in the region and the world at large - wins when there is peace, stability and national reconciliation.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Our practical steps are also in line with that approach, including through regional authorities such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). We will continue to contribute to training narcotics police from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the countries of Central Asia in cooperation with many States around the world, including Japan. Russia has consistently supported the desire of the Afghan people to entrench lasting peace in their country. This year Russia and Afghanistan are celebrating the centenary of their establishment of diplomatic relations. Our countries are indeed linked by a rich history of mutual respect, good-neighbourliness and cooperation whose foundation was laid back in 1919.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We are especially focused on the fight against drug trafficking in Afghanistan. The drug threat continues to be a serious problem for the region, for peace and for Afghanistan itself. The revenue it generates provides terrorism with significant financial support. We believe it is extremely important to continue to strengthen international efforts to combat this scourge. As with any global threat, overcoming the challenges presented by narcotics requires broad collective cooperation, including through specialized entities. We remain committed to helping to comprehensively combat this threat,withtheparticipation oftheUnitedNations Office on Drugs and Crime, among others.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Against that background, the consensus decision of the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, chaired by Indonesia, to list ISIL-Khorasan Province was timely. Although an important step, it is not sufficient on its own and should be followed by practical measures within the United Nations to eradicate that terrorist threat. And we are naturally very concerned about the major terrorist acts that regularly occur in various cities in Afghanistan, including the capital. Besides civilians, including women and children, Afghan soldiers and police officers are dying every day at the hands of terrorists. We pay tribute to their heroism and courage.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We are concerned about the ongoing increase in terrorist activity, the continued presence of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Afghanistan and its ability to survive even after various defeats in the north, indeed on the contrary to strengthen its ranks by recruiting foreign terrorist fighters fleeing Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, as well as members of other terrorist groups, of which there are more than 20 in Afghanistan. We can see that the Islamic State has not only refused to abandon its expansionist ambitions but is consistently working to realize them, including by establishing branches and sleeper cells, and including in northern Afghanistan. That poses a real threat to the security of our friends in Central Asia and the southern regions of Russia.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“We greatly appreciate the work and selfless efforts of United Nations personnel in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. We hope that in the future the United Nations evaluations of the situation in the country will continue to be based on the principle of impartiality and an accurate identification of the country's current challenges, first among them being terrorism. It is unacceptable to pass over that in silence or to try to embellish the reality.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We are grateful to you, Mr. President, for convening today's meeting. We thank Special Representative Yamamoto for his briefing and his analysis of the processes currently unfolding in Afghanistan. We also listened carefully to the statements by Mrs. Raz, the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan, and Ms. Samar. We share the Ambassador's assessments and listened attentively to Ms. Samar. We agree with many of the opinions in the Secretary-General's report (S/2019/493), and would like to make the following points. We support the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and believe it has an important role to play in coordinating the international humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.”
2019-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8555 (2019) · source
“Our joint efforts would be significantly furthered by progress on building a Middle East architecture for security and cooperation. In our view the Russian initiative in that regard on the Persian Gulf has become even more relevant. We want to remind the Council once again that the Secretary- General has a mandate to work with regional parties to develop confidence-building and security measures in the region in accordance with resolution 598 (1987). It is essential that we finally implement that mandate. In conclusion, we would like to commend the cooperation of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq with the counbtry's authorities. I would like to assure Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert that she can continue to count on our support.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“The most recent meeting of the Russian-Iraqi intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation was held in Baghdad at the end of April, and we will continue to develop that cooperation going forward. The latest contacts between Russia and Iraqi officials at senior and top levels in Moscow, Baghdad and other platforms have affirmed the similarity of our Governments' positions on many global and regional issues. Above all, we share the view that it is essential to resolve all crisis situations through dialogue, collective efforts and a policy of good-neighbourly relations, which Iraq has always maintained. We are open to cooperation on a similar basis with all interested regional and international partners.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“Russia will continue to give both political and practical support to the efforts of the Iraqi leadership on the security front and in the long-term normalization of the situation in the country. Iraq and Russia have a long tradition of military and technical cooperation aimed at improving Iraq's defence capability and general potential, including its ability to counter terrorism. The Baghdad information centre is doing important work in combating terrorism and fostering regional security with the participation of Russia, Iraq, Iran and Syria. We are expanding our mutually beneficial trade and economic ties, including in the areas of fuel and energy and humanitarian assistance.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“We cannot allow yet another experiment, wherever it may originate, to undermine the significant progress that has been made, at considerable sacrifice, on the counter-terrorism front, especially since security challenges still remain. We want to see the threat from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and terrorism generally eliminated as soon as possible. We believe firmly that we can effectively combat that challenge only by coordinating our counter-terrorism efforts as broadly as possible. We believe it is essential to ensure that all involved in fighting terrorism in Iraq respect the sovereignty of the Iraqi State and coordinate their efforts with the authorities in Baghdad. Action should correspond to the stated aims of combating terrorism and helping the Government of Iraq to stabilize the situation.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“We are aware that the Government of Iraq has a great deal to do to consolidate positive momentum in this area. The international community should work tirelessly to support the Iraqi leadership's efforts to restore the economy and develop the social and economic front generally. In that connection, we note the conference held under Kuwait's auspices in February 2018 on the reconstruction of Iraq. What is essential is consistent, focused work to overcome the differences among Iraq's various ethnic and religious components and strengthen the unity of the Iraqi people and the integrity of the State. We welcome the recent progress in restoring a mutual understanding between Baghdad and Erbil, which should be consolidated and developed.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“The recent inter-parliamentary conference held in Baghdad, which brought together representatives of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait and Syria, was very significant in that regard. We see it as an excellent beginning that should be consistently developed further. We particularly want to point to the attitude and activity of the Iraqis and Kuwaitis in the work of restoring historical justice, particularly in dealing with the consequences of the first Gulf War as soon as possible. We welcome the progress in the work of closing the Iraq-Kuwait humanitarian dossier with regard to the investigation of the fate of missing Kuwaitis and Kuwaiti property. It gives us hope that the parties are working together on the issue as positively as possible.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“In that connection, we would like to note in particular that attempts to draw the country into an artificially stoked confrontation with regard to the Islamic Republic of Iran are totally counterproductive, unacceptable and can only have a negative impact on the situation Within Iraq and the region as a whole. The escalation of the situation in the Persian Gulf should be halted immediately, while confrontation should give way to dialogue and negotiations aimed at overcoming the existing concerns. Iraq has the right to develop and build normal relations with all its neighbours. We welcome Baghdad's consistent policy in maintaining good-neighbourly relations with all its regional partners, including Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, of course.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“Mr. Safronkov (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): We would like to thank Ms. Hennis- Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, for her detailed and objective briefing. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which she heads, is playing an important role in assisting the Iraqi authorities in dealing with a range of issues of national reconciliation and rebuilding the economy. Based on that, we supported resolution 2470 (2019), which extends UNAMI's mandate for another year. The stability of Iraq has historically been very important to the entire Middle East, and strengthening it is in the interests of the entire international community.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8531 (2019) · source
“It requires a comprehensive approach. Attempts to approach the situation selectively will not work, and neither will attempts to act based on the principle that what is permissible for some is not permissible for others. All stakeholders, without exception, must comply with the arms embargo. Russia and Libya are linked by deep historic ties. The relations between our States have always been defined by mutual respect. That is why we have been able to maintain contact with all political forces throughout the crisis in Libya. Russia will continue to restore stability in Libya, including by supporting Mr. Salame's efforts. However, we will be strictly guided in that by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as the duty to ensure the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“We note the leading role that the African Union has taken in giving the Libyan settlement new momentum, including through the conference in Addis Ababa planned for July. We firmly believe that all the international efforts to restore peace and unity to Libya must ideally be harmonized, and we emphasize once again that a political settlement should not be an issue for competition. Much has been said today about the role played by Special Representative Salame' in arranging a harmonized system for finding a long-term solution to the Libyan conflict, as Ijust mentioned. But we should all remember from our own experience that for the task of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to be feasible, it must be able to rely on the consolidated support of international and regional players and all of Libya's political actors.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“The situation in Libya was a subject of discussion during the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum in Moscow. We are constantly analysing it in our daily contacts with representatives of the African Union, and we have reached an agreement on working together on a Libyan settlement. Our shared goal is helping Libyans to overcome their differences and emerge with a sustainable agreement on the main issue, which is national reconciliation. There have been previous steps taken in that direction in Paris, Palermo and Abu Dhabi, but the commitments made then have unfortunately remained on paper. The regional actors have an important role to play in encouraging Libyans to end the bloodshed and resume negotiations.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“We must refrain from the use of force and work to unite the efforts of all Libyan forces in the interests of the rapid restoration of national institutions that are capable of dealing effectively with the immediate priorities, including the fight against terrorism. Unfortunately, that threat is still a powerful one and requires the unification of all political forces. One of the most urgent tasks on the agenda is the establishment of united, viable State institutions, including the army and security forces. It is Libyans themselves who must take those decisions. Succumbing to any temptations or attempts to impose the parameters for that process from the outside will inevitably be counterproductive, and we will repudiate them. We are coordinating our efforts with international and regional partners on a bilateral and multilateral basis.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source
“Russia will continue to appeal to all of Libya's military and political forces and to its influential figures to cease military actions, refrain from aggressive statements and sit down at the negotiating table in order to re-establish the trust that has been so undermined, step by step. To do that, narrow interests must be set aside and we must work based on the principle that Libya and its people come first. For that, we must refrain from plans that involve constant intervention in internal affairs and remember that Libya's natural wealth belongs exclusively to the Libyan people. In our view, there is no alternative to a political settlement.”
2019-05-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8530 (2019) · source