Statement by H.E. Mr. Yuriy Sergeyev 

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations

at the Security Council debate on “The situation in Afghanistan”

(19 March, 2013)

Mr. President,

Let me thank you for holding this important debate. Our appreciation also goes to the Secretary-General and the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan for informative briefings.

My delegation welcomes adoption of resolution on UNAMA’s mandate renewal. 

While Ukraine aligns itself with the statement by the European Union, I find it pertinent to make a few brief points in my national capacity.

Mr. President,

Security in Afghanistan and the Central Asian region is one of the important issues which attract the attention of the international community. Ukrainebelieves that without providing adequate security conditions in Afghanistan it is difficult to talk of reviving Afghan economy, rising living standards, implementing social programs and other projects to rebuild the country.

Ukraine is strongly committed to further contributing to the lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. We support the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan which should facilitate stability and peace-building in the country.

Mr. President,

Over 10 year long presence of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has made an important contribution to the process of stabilization of the political and security situation in the country.

Currently, Ukrainian peacekeeping personnel in the country consists of 28 representatives.  Since 2009 Ukrainehas been permitting cargo transit over its territory for ISAF needs in Afghanistan.

Ukraine supports a gradual transfer of responsibility for maintaining security from international forces to the Afghan National Army and Police.

Mr. President,

The withdrawal of the ISAF from Afghanistan requires development and operationalisation of possible OSCE response to new challenges and threats that have a direct impact on the OSCE states bordering Afghanistan as well as on the whole OSCE area.

In order to make a detailed analysis of potential risks to security of the OSCE participating States, Ukrainian Chairmanship in this Organization sees merit in conducting in-depth discussions on this important issue within the OSCE framework. In this regard Ukrainian Chairmanship proposes to devote a specific session of the 2013 Annual Security Review Conference to the border-related issues. These efforts may lay a basis for developing an update to the OSCE 2005 Border Security and Management Concept which defines the framework for co-operation among the OSCE participating States.

Mr. President,

Ukraine supports decisions of the recent international conferences on Afghanistan aimed at strengthening peace and security in this country, promoting its social and economic recovery and supporting integration processes, as well as developing regional cooperation.

We fully share a common view that the regional approach plays a key role in ensuring durable stability in Afghanistan and in the wider region. In this context the commitment of Afghanistan’s neighbors to this joint goal can hardly be overestimated.

Mr. President,

We believe that the future of Afghanistan can be determined by two factors:

- End of the war and achieving national reconciliation. It is necessary to create and develop channels for dialogue between the Afghan government and the militants.

- Transfer of full responsibility to the Afghan National Army and Police for maintaining security in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the ISAF troops in 2014 (Ukraine strongly supports the implementation of the Lisbon strategy which foresees conclusion of the military operation in Afghanistan in 2014).

 

I thank you.