StatementbyUkraine

at the UN Security Council Open Debate

 “Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”

 

NewYork, 21October 2014

Madame President,

 

First of all let me join previous speakers in thanking you for organizing today's meeting of the UN Security Council devoted to the important issue of the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinian question. Ukraine joins the EU statement that will be / was announced. Ukraine very much appreciates and supports Argentina’s initiative in organizing today’s open debate. Your presence in New York, Madam President, attest to the importance your country attaches to this issue. We would also like to thank Mr. Secretary General for his statement today.

Madame President,

Ukraine is deeply concerned over the situation in the Middle East and on the Palestinian territories in particular. It is our strong conviction that the solution to the question of Palestine should be based on the full implementation of the relevantSecurity Council resolutions, as well as the Madrid peace Conference formula and the Oslo accords.

Ukraine is committed toa balanced andimpartialposition on theMiddle East peace process, willing to developstable and constructive relationswith bothIsraeland the Arab States, including Palestine.

On the issue ofthe Israeli-Palestinian settlement Ukrainesupports the principle ofcoexistenceof Israel andArabstatesin peace and security.

Ukrainewelcomed theIsraeli-Palestinian agreement on acease-firewhich put an endto the killings among the civilianpopulationand gavepartiesan opportunityto find adiplomaticwaysto solve their differences. The strategicoutcome of theinitiativeis to create two statesfortwo peoplesthat would coexist in peace and security, based ontheexpectationsof the international communityfora stable,democraticand prosperousMiddle East.

Ukraineconsiders theprinciples of the 2002ArabPeace Initiativeas a key elementof the internationalefforts to reach a comprehensiveIsraeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Madame President,

Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to the universal principles and basic norms of international law, in particular: strict observance of human rights, territorial integrity, inviolability of borders and state sovereignty.

Ukraine stands for an immediate end to the bloodshed and calls on to maximize the use of political and diplomatic means to resolve the conflict.

Ukraine proceeds from the fact that according to the UN Charter, the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies on the UN Security Council, specifically its permanent members. As an important example of such responsibility we consider the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the Resolution 2178 (2014) on the fight against foreign terrorists and call on all UN member states to its full implementation.

Ukraine supports the mission of the UN Special Representative on the Syrian issue and other international initiatives brokered by influential international organizations (UN, Arab League, OPCW) and calls the parties of the conflict for fast and complete implementation of the Geneva agreements.

Ukraine welcomes the cooperation of the Syrian government with the overall mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy the arsenal of chemical weapons. We are confident that the final liquidation of the Syrian chemical weapons is an important step for Syria and the whole Middle East region.

Ukraine condemns the ongoing violence and systematic violations of the human rights in Syria. 

Taking into account that the Syrian government has a significant share of responsibility for the current situation, we have downgraded the diplomatic presence in Damascus since 2011 and stopped political contacts at the high level and as well as military-technical cooperation.

Ukraine takes a proactive stance on the “Syrian issue”: in August 2014 Ukraine joined the EU declaration on restrictive measures against individuals and entities of Syria; we supported the UN General Assembly resolution “Situation with human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic”; Ukrainian delegation took part in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th meetings of the group “Friends of the Syrian people”.

Ukraine is concerned about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria where total number of the internally displaced persons exceeds 6.5 mln., and almost 3mln. refugees were forced to move to the neighboring countries. 

Inthis regard, wewelcome the statement ofthe President of UNSCdatedOctober 2, 2013, andcall on the Syrianauthorities to remove all bureaucratic barriersandother obstacles tothe expansionof humanitarianoperations.  We also supportanddirectly attached tothe implementation ofthe provisions of the UNSC resolutions2139(2014) and2165 (2014)to ensurefree accessof humanitarian assistancetothe affected population, protection of medical personnelandhumanitarian workersofUNetc.

Realizingthe criticalhumanitarian situation in Syria Ukraine provided through the relevantUN agenciesthe humanitarian aidto the Syrianrefugees.

Madame President,

Ukraine has clearly expressed its position in the Foreign Ministry statement on September 16, 2014 on the results of the Paris international conference on peace and security in Iraq.

Ukraine, which decisively fights foreign backed terrorists and faces direct aggression, shares the view that the terrorist group “Islamic state” is a threat not only to Iraq and Syria, but also to the international community.

Ukraine supports all efforts aimed at the unconditional fight against terrorism regardless of where and in what form they take place.

Thank you, Madame President.