Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council briefing on Cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union

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Mr. President,

Let me join others in thanking Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union for participation in today’s meeting and for her briefing.

I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s full support for further development of cooperation of the United Nations with regional and sub-regional organizations on the basis of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Such cooperation is essential for delivering on the Council’s mandate to maintain international peace and security.

The role of the EU in such cooperation is a special one. The European Union is a major political and economic player in the international arena and contributes to the resolution of a number of conflicts and crises far beyond its geographic neighborhood. It is an active partner of the United Nations in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, non-proliferation, combating terrorism and many other issues.

Mr. President,

A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy presented last year reflects main areas and priorities of the EU-UN cooperation. Ukraine fully shares the overall vision of the Strategy, in particular Responsibility, Unity and Integrated Approach to conflicts and crises.

Stronger engagement of the EU in the conflict resolution processes, participation in the political dialogue and international formats would definitely enhance the voice of Partners struggling for peace, democratic values and their sovereign choice.

We believe that “a rules-based global order with multilateralism as its key principle and the United Nations at its core” is a vital element in ensuring sustainable peace in the world.

Ukraine also supports the initiatives mentioned in the Strategy on UN peacebuilding efforts, implementation of commitments on sustainable development and climate change, support of the UN Human Rights Council and others. We also join the Strategy’s call “upon members of the UN Security Council not to vote against credible draft resolutions on timely and decisive action to prevent or end mass atrocities”. In the context of events in Syria and Russian shameful vetoes on relevant resolutions, this call is as relevant as ever.

Mr. President,

The High Representative outlined a number of challenges and threats that affect today’s world and where the UN-EU cooperation is effectively maintained. We praise the EU contribution to conflict resolution in the Middle East and Africa.

I would like to make a special emphasis on the existing conflicts in Europe and the EU role in their managing and resolution. During our Presidency in February this year, Ukraine organized an open debate on this issue and we are grateful to the European Union for its active participation and valuable input to the discussion.

During that session, majority of the Council members expressed a common vision of an important role of the EU as an arrangement under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter in addressing current and emerging security challenges in Europe.

In my view, this role is essential due, inter alia, to the following reasons.

First, the EU contribution is essential in building resilience of countries in Eastern and Southern Neighborhood by encouraging them to reform process which brings long-term benefits and foster stability in the region. The reviewed ENP and updated EU Global Security Strategy set up good frameworks for building upon our cooperation on security matters.

Second, the EU is directly or indirectly involved in conflicts resolution in Europe, including around Ukraine, in Western Balkans, Moldova, Georgia etc. It defends the European security order that is firmly based on the principles of sovereignty, independence and the territorial integrity of States; the inviolability of borders; the peaceful settlement of disputes and the free choice of countries in deciding their own future.

These EU efforts proved their effectiveness in the former Yugoslavia, where, despite all suffering, numerous casualties and terrible atrocities, all conflicts are now by and large resolved. In the post-Soviet region, to the contrary, none of the conflicts, I repeat — none, has been settled. Moreover, new conflicts erupt and new threats to regional peace appeared.

Why is it so? The answer is rather simple. In the case of the former Yugoslavia, success was reached due to resolute stance of the international community and coordinated efforts of the international community, including the UN and the EU. Furthermore, although not without delay, spoilers and instigators of the conflicts were removed from decision-making in the processes of settlement.

In the territory of the former Soviet Union the situation is different. Since early 1990s, the Russian Federation embraced the concept of “instability belt”. It has effectively created “controlled instability” in many countries along Russia’s borders to keep them in Moscow’s orbit and, like in the case of Ukraine, to halt any integration with the EU.

We do believe that the existing situation is not a deadlock, and that protracted and active conflicts in Europe can be effectively resolved and potential tensions can be prevented from erupting. We also believe that the European Union together with the United Nations should not shy away from taking a more proactive approach in conflict management and resolution in Europe.

Mr. President,

EU-UN cooperation has proved to be invaluable on numerous occasions — from fight against terrorism to peaceful resolution of conflicts in different parts of the world. Ukraine is looking forward to this continued partnership which will further effectively contribute to the promotion of international peace and security.

I thank you