YouSaid · the spoken record

Selim

lines on the record: 129
first: 2014-09-19
most recent: 2023-11-29
sittings or episodes: 10
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

“Indeed, the continued failure of negotiations is not due to a lack of scientific solutions to the outstanding technical issues, nor is it because we lack the requisite legal expertise to draft an agreement. Rather, the singular source of our failure has been and remains Ethiopian intransigence. This reality is best reflected in the following statement from the letter addressed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia to the Security Council on 23 June 2021: “Filling and operating the GERD without seeking agreement from Egypt and [the] Sudan is the bare minimum of the exercise of this sovereign prerogative as a riparian country of an international watercourse”. The sentiment in this statement is the root of the problem. It demonstrates that the cause of this crisis is political.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“However, any agreement on the GERD must be equitable, reasonable and legally binding. It must include provisions to mitigate the adverse effects of this dam, especially during periods of drought. It must prevent the infliction of significant harm on the riparian interests of Egypt and the Sudan. It must guarantee the safety, functionality and resilience of downstream dams. And it must ensure that Egypt’s water security is not imperilled by the filling and operation of what will become Africa’s largest hydropower facility. Realizing this objective of concluding a fair and balanced agreement on the GERD is not unsurmountable, nor is it beyond reach.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“Since Ethiopia unilaterally commenced the construction of this dam without fulfilling the duties incumbent upon it as an upstream State to notify and consult its downstream co-riparians, Egypt has sought to reach an agreement on the GERD that would preserve the rights of our three countries — Egypt, the Sudan and Ethiopia — and promote their common interests. Our hope was and remains to conclude a legally binding agreement that enables Ethiopia to achieve its developmental objectives by generating hydropower from the GERD expeditiously, efficiently and sustainably. This reflects the fact that Egypt was and remains committed to Ethiopia’s stability and prosperity, and it also exemplifies Egypt’s long-standing policy of engendering and expanding cooperation with our co-riparians throughout the Nile basin.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“We are driven by a commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and an enduring confidence in the capacity of the Security Council to discharge its duty to maintain international peace and security by taking the necessary action in relation to the question of the GERD. Indeed, the great value to humankind of this body is its ability and authority to act pre-emptively to protect and uphold the peace and not to stand by in a state of indifferent abeyance as the rights of nations and indeed their very existence are threatened. Egypt has engaged in a whole decade of negotiations on the GERD.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“This is why Egypt has elected to again bring the question of the GERD before the Security Council. Ethiopia’s unrelenting unilateralism, the continued failure of negotiations and the absence at this juncture of a viable path towards a political settlement of this matter have all impelled Egypt to call upon the Security Council to intercede expeditiously and effectively to prevent an escalation of tensions and to address this situation, which could, as stated in Article 34 of the United Nations Charter, endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. We have come to this Chamber out of an abiding faith in the value of international law and an unwavering belief in the virtue of multilateralism as a vehicle for promoting peace and preventing conflict and strife.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“In this regard, I take note of the European Union’s issuance of a statement today expressing regret that Ethiopia has begun executing the second filling without an agreement — and commend it for that. I encourage the Security Council and its member States to take a similar position in response to this deeply troubling development — something that has not been displayed in today’s statements. This persistent practice of unilateralism betrays Ethiopia’s disregard, if not its contempt, of international law and reflects its underlying policy objectives of seeking to arrest the Nile and transform this transboundary river of life into an instrument of political influence and control, all of which threatens to undermine peace and security in the region.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“Indeed, in a further demonstration of its obstinacy, Ethiopia announced, on 5 July 2021, a mere three days before the convening of today’s meeting, that it had commenced the second year filling of the GERD, without an agreement. This blatant act of unilateralism is not only a manifestation of Ethiopia’s irresponsibility and its callous indifference to the damage that the filling of this dam could inflict upon Egypt and the Sudan, but it also illustrates Ethiopia’s bad faith and its attempt to impose a fait accompli in defiance of the collective will of the international community as expressed and embodied in the holding of this Security Council meeting to discuss and take action on the question of the GERD.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“We wholeheartedly embraced the initiative of the then Chairperson of the African Union, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, to initiate negotiations under the auspices of the African Union, and we engaged in a whole year of talks convened and facilitated by our African brethren to forge an African solution to this intractable problem. And yet we have failed. After a year of abortive negotiations and despite the tireless efforts of the Chairpersons of the African Union and our international partners, we find ourselves again confronted by the reality of the unilateral execution of the filling of the GERD, without an agreement to protect downstream communities against the dangers of this dam.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“We called upon our brethren with whom we share the riches of the Nile to exercise responsibility and to recognize that the future and fortunes of our peoples are intrinsically intertwined. And yet, within days of the meeting on the question of the GERD, the Rubicon was crossed. Ethiopia commenced the unilateral filling of the GERD, and its Foreign Minister declared, with no small measure of impudence, “the river became a lake ... the Nile is ours”. Nonetheless, Egypt’s response to this assault on the river was to act with restraint and pursue the path of peace by seeking a settlement to this crisis through an equitable agreement that preserves the interests of all three parties.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“With every brick and every layer of mortar, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) grows higher, its reservoir grows larger and it continues to constrict the lifeblood of innocent millions living downstream of this giant dam. Last year, on 29 June 2020, Egypt came before the Security Council (see S/2020/636) to warn the international community of this burgeoning danger that was brewing on the horizon. We alerted the world to the impending first filling of the GERD and cautioned against the costs of seeking to establish exclusive control over a river on which our survival depends. We implored this organ to act with vigilance and vigour to avert an escalation of tensions that could jeopardize the peace in a fragile region.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to extend my congratulations to Ambassador De Rivière on assuming the presidency of the Security Council. I also thank Under-Secretary-General Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as Mr. Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, for their remarks. Egypt, a nation of over 100 million souls, is facing an existential threat. A grand structure of mammoth proportions has been constructed across the artery that bequeaths life to the people of Egypt. A colossal wall of iron and steel has arisen along the banks of a great and ancient river and has cast a long, dark shadow over the future and fate of the people of Egypt.”
2021-07-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8816 (2021) · source
“Finally, I would like to reiterate our principled position that such thematic, cross-cutting issues pertaining to the enforcement of disarmament and non-proliferation commitments should also be addressed in a more inclusive manner and with the active involvement of all Member States in all the relevant organs of the United Nations. Collective security for all is a necessary requirement now more than ever to achieve the kind of sustainable peace and development that we owe to future generations.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“It is therefore unsurprising that the region is experiencing an unprecedented level of frustration, especially among the Arab countries, due to the repeated failures in implementing the agreed undertaking to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. This is reflected in the resolution on the Middle East adopted at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, which represents an integral part of the decision on the indefinite extension of the Treaty. We remain greatly disappointed by the decision of three States parties to the NPT to block consensus on the final document of the 2015 NPT Review Conference, thereby further eroding the credibility of the Treaty.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“We also support the Council's supervision of Iran's compliance with its obligations, as well as establishing credible facts regarding the parties responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Nevertheless, the Middle East regrettably continues to be one of the most evident examples of the threats that the non-proliferation regime is facing, as well as the selective manner in which the Security Council has approached such threats. It is important to recall that the Security Council has failed to implement the stipulations of resolution 687 (1991), which contains an explicit recognition of the objective of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“Despite the extremely volatile nature of its region, Egypt has proven its good intentions by becoming party to the NPT and fully implementing its obligations, in recognition of the vital role of the Treaty in international security. We took those decisions in good faith because we value human life and international security. Furthermore, Egypt has always actively supported and implemented all Security Council resolutions aimed at addressing country-specific proliferation concerns without discrimination, as well as combating the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors. Egypt continues to fully support the Council's role in seeking a peaceful solution to address the nuclear activities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which violate Security Council resolutions and which we strongly condemn.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“Several recent remarkable developments, such as the adoption of the Humanitarian Pledge, as well as a landmark treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, are clear signs that the circumstances have changed on the international stage - clear messages that the non-nuclear-weapon States that have truly committed themselves to the principles of disarmament and non-proliferation are becoming increasingly impatient with regard to the need to seriously address the gaps in the prevailing regime and the discrimination embedded therein, which was not intended to last forever at the time of the NPT negotiations or at its entry into force.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“There is no doubt that, in a world free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, the United Nations and the Security Council would have been much better positioned to address non-proliferation threats and cases of non-compliance in a more credible and non-discriminatory manner. Practice has shown that it is quite illusive to address non-proliferation while disregarding disarmament, or selectively tackle cases of non-compliance while deliberately ignoring achieving the universality of the NPT.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“It is time for us, States Members of the United Nations, to have an honest and inclusive discussion on the validity and consistency of those arguments that imply that the possession of nuclear weapons and reliance on nuclear deterrence contribute to international security and stability. In fact, a closer look at contemporary non-proliferation challenges, including country-specific cases, would clearly reveal that, one way or another, those challenges flow from the continued existence of nuclear weapons and the discriminatory nature of the non-proliferation regime, which undermines its credibility and effectiveness.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“Attaining this goal largely depends on the implementation by the nuclear weapon States of their obligations under article 6 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and leading the efforts towards the achievement of universal adherence to the Treaty, which continues to represent the cornerstone of international security and the core of today's disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. In spite of the evident tangible progress achieved in the area of non-proliferation, progress towards nuclear disarmament continues to be held hostage to construed conceptions pertaining to strategic stability.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“However, we believe that the Council's working methods in this area require significant improvement. We should examine more efficient and inclusive methods that would improve the sense of ownership of the measures adopted, seek a stronger utilization of the Secretary-General's good offices, and always adopt decisions that reinforce the concept that the ultimate aim of all measures adopted by the Council is to achieve a peaceful political solution. From a more comprehensive perspective, Egypt reiterates its concern over the grave threat posed by the continued existence ofnuclear weapons, and we reaffirm that the total, verifiable and irreversible elimination of such weapons represents the ultimate guarantee against their proliferation and the ultimate warranty against their use by States or non-State actors.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“In light of the vital importance that Egypt attaches to the disarmament and non-proliferation of WMDs, and to seize this important opportunity to discuss such a crucial issue in such an important setting, I have decided, contrary to normal practice, to deliver my statement today in English to ensure the full clarity of my message. (spoke in English) Egypt has always been at the forefront of multilateral efforts aimed at the disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which continue to represent one of the most pressing threats to humankind and to international peace and security. We highly value the indispensable role of the Security Council in addressing proliferation challenges and enforcing the relevant Security Council resolutions and legal framework governing the issue.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“Mr. Selim (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): Mr. President, at the outset, I should like to express my sincere joy at seeing you preside over the Security Council this month. I would also like to thank the Under-Secretary- General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs for her valuable briefing. We can conclude from that briefing that a new and comprehensive approach is needed to guarantee the adoption of effective measures in an attempt to put an end to the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). We must also stress the centrality of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts in maintaining international peace and security.”
2017-09-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8053 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, Egypt reiterates its commitment to deploying every possible effort to reach a comprehensive settlement through the current membership of the Security Council, as well as our membership of the United Nations as a whole and of the African Union Peace and Security Council, taking into consideration the excellent relations that link Egypt with all the parties to the conflict in South Sudan.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“All efforts must focus on the most important purpose - strengthening the concept of citizenship and transcending the tribal affiliations that have been exploited both internally and externally, in order to increase stability and address those divisions. It is vital to avoid a collapse of the country's State institutions and to maintain and strengthen them in the future. In that regard, sanctions- based approaches are unwise. They have not been useful and could worsen the situation. Egypt has seen the possible consequences of the collapse of States in its region close-up. We know that such a vacuum can be filled only by anarchy and armed groups that are extremely difficult to control.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“At the same time, we emphasize the importance of the coordination between the regional and international efforts being undertaken by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Security Council to revive the political process as an alternative to violence. We must understand that no political effort will succeed unless it includes a set of measures that deal with the root causes of the problem. We must enhance the strength and capacity of State institutions and their organizational structure and reform them, as well as creating the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, in accordance with chapter V of the peace agreement.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“For its part, Egypt has intensified bilateral talks with the Government of South Sudan and has received President Salva Kiir in Cairo wth the goal of supporting all efforts to achieve a political solution. In the past few weeks, President Al Sisi has continued to make efforts to that end, including by visiting Uganda and Kenya and dealing with the active regional parties in order to strengthen the efforts to put an end to the conflict and support stability. We have seen that our brother countries appreciate the role that we have played in this conflict.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“Thirdly, all parties have an urgent moral, legal and human obligation to put an end to all forms of violence, abide by international law and its related relevant principles, assume their responsibilities towards civilians, and help facilitate the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, which requires that it be able to reach all affected areas immediately and without restrictions in order to implement the Council's mandate. Creating obstacles to humanitarian efforts will only lead to more suffering, increase the human costs of the struggle and erode the regional and international efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement for the crisis and at ending the suffering of the civilians.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“We should therefore seek to enable such a dialogue to succeed without marginalizing any political or ethnic group. The responsibility of the international community is to provide political support for that dialogue. In that regard, Egypt is ready to use its historic relations with the region and all of the regional parties to provide whatever assistance the people of South Sudan need, to help to facilitate a dialogue and to arrive at results that can set the country on the road to peace and stability.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“It includes a number of principles and measures that should be taken together in order to deal with the crisis and its root causes: First, all efforts should be based on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, signed in August 2015, as a comprehensive reference point for all the efforts to achieve a political settlement. The agreement includes all the basic elements necessary to reach a political solution and a peaceful transition of power. Secondly, the call for a comprehensive national dialogue issued by President Salva Kiir is an opportunity that must be taken advantage of, as it provides an alternative forum for all parties to renounce violence and deal with divisions in a political context.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“The crisis could spill into the neighbouring States that are shouldering the majority of the responsibility for humanitarian assistance if it is not contained in a just and comprehensive manner. The most important question is how to deal with the current situation and avoid the earlier mistakes of the international community in dealing with South Sudan since its independence, which means working to put an end to the suffering caused by displacement, sexual violence and famine. In that regard, our vision is based on a comprehensive approach.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“For six years - the age of the nascent State of South Sudan - the causes of the conflict became more acute, while the international community failed to fully recognize the extent of the challenges that South Sudan was facing. It was as if the responsibility of the international community had ended with the declaration of independence, without anyone taking stock of the deep-rooted causes of conflict. The subsequent developments in South Sudan have shown that international support for countries that are in political transition is crucial, both pre- and post- independence. We fully recognize the dangerous repercussions of this crisis for peace and stability in East Africa, and its enormous human and economic toll.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“On 9 July 2011, the world witnessed the Republic of South Sudan's declaration of its independence in response to the will ofits people. It was a crystallization ofthe aspirations ofits people and their hopes for a better future. However, less than three years after the birth of that State, those hopes suffered a setback. The country found itselfin a dilemma, beset by armed violence that arose from acute political divisions, exacerbated by a devastating economic crisis. Those divisions have led some parties to the conflict to become focused on and trapped by their ethnicities and thereby disregard the aspirations expressed by the people of South Sudan in July 2011.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“Mr. Selim (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, on behalf of my Government, I would like to to express my condolences to the people and the Government of the United Kingdom for the heinous terrorist attack that has cost the lives of innocent people. The expanding area where such acts occur shows how terrorist organizations are trying to instil fear and despair in our societies. It behoves us all to take measures and resolutions aimed at frustrating such murderous plans. I would like to warmly thank the United Kingdom presidency of the Security Council for organizing today's important meeting, and to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General, the Chair of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission for South Sudan and the representative of civil society for their informative briefings.”
2017-03-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7906 (2017) · source
“In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my appreciation for the call to convene this important meeting, in which we have been eager to participate in the framework of Egypt's support for the efforts of the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, to promote the role and status of women. Egypt will also be sure to follow up on these issues regionally and internationally in the context of its efforts to achieve peace and security.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“Over the last 15 years, since the adoption of the resolution, Egypt has held a number of activities on that issue. Two regional workshops were organized, jointly with the United Nations and the League of Arab States. Egypt has accorded special attention to issues of training and capacity-building. From 2013 to 2015, the Cairo Regional Centre for Training on Conflict- Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa has held seven training courses, two courses for the training of trainers and a workshop, all dedicated to habilitating staff and to exchanging expertise on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), under the theme "Inclusion of gender in peacekeeping and peace building", to be complemented by the holding of five additional training courses in the same vein up to June 2016.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“It goes hand in hand with Egypt's broader vision of the empowerment of women at all levels. Egypt has supported the goals and rationale of resolution 1325 (2000) since its adoption, back in 2000, given the importance of this and subsequent resolutions with respect to the cause of women in conflict and post- conflict situations. In that regard, Egypt's support has taken many forms at both the regional and international levels. The National Council for Women of Egypt has worked out a national plan for follow-up and implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in the framework of the active role played by women in the area of international conflict resolution. Egypt has become one of 17 African States to develop that kind of national plan.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“Terrorism is a threat to peace and security, along with the armed conflicts that afflict many States and regions around the world. In most cases, in fact, it forms an integral part of every conflict. That is a threat our communities face, and the threat level has increased of late. It has affected States' abilities to carry out their aspirations in terms of development and prosperity. Although terrorism threatens the whole of society, women are the most vulnerable. That is a cause to which we will accord great interest as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Egypt accords great interest to issues of women and their role as a pivotal element in building and maintaining peace. That interest is based on Egypt's efforts in promoting the position of women in different areas.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“Our discussion of the issues related to resolution 1325 (2000) has touched on the lack of adequate attention to some of the chief problems it is aimed at, in particular the degree to which women suffer under foreign occupation, as well as the effects that can result from an overemphasis on the connection between international human rights law and international humanitarian law, which can weaken the systems available for providing protection in both peace and war through the politicization of positions on the various issues linked to the two types of law. Another is insufficient attention to the priorities of national sovereignty and respect for national legislation, along with a reliance on unofficial studies that may not be as precise in evaluating the progress made in achieving goals for women and peace and security.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his efforts to highlight this important issue, including in his most recent report on the resolution's implementation (S/2015/7l6), which particularly emphasizes the problem of resolving the crises facing us of the lack of financing and inequitable selectivity in allocating financial resources, as well as the direct links that the report highlights among development issues, including the importance of supporting countries' efforts to help their peoples achieve their aspirations and of protecting women in armed conflict and post-conflict situations. Egypt supports the Secretary-General's call to promote the role of women in its peacekeeping operations and its mediation and conflict-resolution efforts.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“Mr. Selim (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): I would like to thank the Kingdom of Spain and the President of the Government of Spain for taking the initiative to convene today's meeting on women and peace and security on the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), and for inviting us to participate.”
2015-10-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533 (2015) · source
“We cannot politicize religion and use it as a weapon. The situation in Libya, despite the differences in nature and the absence of the religious factor in the conflict, requires creating the same broader front to face terrorism. That is what the United Nations Mission attempts, but that requires international resolve. The invitation by Russia to this meeting is a foundation on the basis of which we can build in order to involve the Council in all the factors in the region to ensure a good outcome. I hope that we all take the opportunity of this window in order to become partners to fight Daesh and to establish stability in the Middle East and safeguard the State.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“That will allow everyone to join that effort. The same situation applies to Iraq. Prime Minister Al-Abadi tries to build a united front vis-a-vis terrorism; but things are not easy in any of the conflicts of the region because of the confessional polarization that has existed since the war in Iraq in 2003 and the assassination of the LebanesePrime Minister, Rafik Hariri in 2005. In Beirut in 2008 all ofthis was followed by four years of conflict, and even the imposition of a process in Yemen. All this makes it necessary to return to the rule of law and a situation that guarantees rights to all citizens without exception. That is the only way out to ensure a certain modicum of stability in the region. We must not allow conflicts to become broader between the Shiite and the Sunni communities, which are both noble.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Whereas in Syria several wars - against terrorism, the fight against the regime and the fight against the moderate opposition - have merged into one, the latter is in conflict with the regime and is waging a reciprocal war. The multiplicity of wars is an element that further attracts terrorists and extremists to Syrian soil and further complicates efforts at a settlement. What makes it possible to fight terrorism effectively is to simplify those conflicts so that there is only one war between two fronts, one under the flag of the State and the other one which unites the forces of extremism and terror. Then one can give full support to the first front made up of the international community and the people and then we can create a front together with the Syrian State through the transition committee embodied in the Geneva decision.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“This came together with revolution and with knowledge of social media, and it is only natural for those groups to express their ambitions and to decide to restore their rights. Given that regional situation, we can only call it a catastrophe. All factors need to be addressed together. Occupation, calls for independence, decades-long repression and disregard of the necessary factors have given rise to an explosive crisis. To live in peace and stability in the Middle East is possible, but it requires that the Palestinian people regain their rights, their independent State and all the other rights enjoyed by citizens of other countries. That would do away with the polarization of extremist forces.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“We must understand that as well. Therefore we must accept diversity in the Arab world. Our country has never wanted to politicize the region, as I was saying, especially when that is intended to subjugate the population. Syrian society is very diversified, and that has reinforced the crisis. To be frank, as we have tried to be, this conflict involved other factors, some of which were internal in nature, because some regimes in the region have lasted for decades without reviewing their policies or the nature of their relationship with their peoples and the regional scope. There has also been an expansion of corruption, opportunism and the marginalization of important sectors of society. At the same time, the people have become aware of their rights.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“There is no doubt that those so-called Islamic trends ran counter to the ability to govern and they have shown that they have not understood the dynamics or the history of our peoples. They take over power and in an absolutist manner work against their own idea of patriotism. They act against the people and associate themselves with the most extreme forces. The people then turned against them. Some thought that those currents would come to power in the region, and that did not take into account the diversity of circumstances in Arab countries. Egyptian society for its part, for example, refused to politicize religion and refused to hand over the country to a clique that tried to subject Egyptians. What can we say about the mosaic society in Syria that buttressed the crisis? To be frank, other factors were at play.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“When Moscow affirms that regional crises can be effectively and truly resolved - and this meeting represents an important effort by the Security Council - we must act on a consensus basis in order to put an end to conflicts in the region. Such conflicts prevent the people of the region from moving towards modernity, with all that entails for international peace and security. In making such laudalbe efforts, I believe that we should look again at the regional picture beginning in 2011. At that time some believed that the current politicizing of the region would have the support of the peoples. Some also thought that those trends were moderate and capable of containing and marginalizing the forces of extremism and terror that kill and destroy.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“We hope to be a member of the Security Council in the period 2016-2017, and therefore to be involved in confronting the threat of terrorism, which we have known well and which we have confronted for decades. We are also interested in the settlement of regional conflicts before bloody conflicts affect State sovereignty, which can ultimately have an impact on the interests of all peoples. I believe the Russian spokesperson was right when she stated on 27 August that there was a need to comprehensively assess the nature of conflicts and to determine the necessary steps to restore national stability based on the principles of the United Nations. We in Egypt share that vision.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“Mr. Selim (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): The presence here today of Ministers for Foreign Affairs to participate at this meeting at the invitation of the Russian Federation to discuss the issue of the settlement of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and countering the terrorist threat in the region shows that the region requires unity from the international community in order to confront that threat. It also requires broader implementation and involvement by the Security Council in the crisis in the region. I should like to express my gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Sergy Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, for the invitation to be here.”
2015-09-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7527 (2015) · source
“In this context, it could be useful consider the possibility of the Secretary-General preparing a comprehensive report considering this issue from all points of View, including recommendations on a programme of work to be implemented. I would like once again to thank the Jordanian presidency of the Security Council this month for having convened this important meeting.”
2015-04-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7432 (2015) · source