I would like to begin by thanking all delegations for their strong support for Germany in the elections to the Security Council. We take this as an overwhelming vote of confidence for German foreign and United Nations policy. Let me assure you once again that our
membership on the Council will be g…
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is a guiding vision for Africa’s development in the twenty-first century. Wise and courageous African reformers have designed it for their continent. NEPAD recognizes that economic growth, sustainable development and an effective fight against pov…
First of all, I should like to wish you every success, Mr. President, in your responsible office. We are delighted that you, a representative of our Czech neighbours, will preside over the General Assembly this year. I also express my sincere thanks to the outgoing President.
I endorse the statemen…
I have the honour to introduce this year’s draft resolution on Afghanistan under agenda items 20 (f) and 43. I should like to announce that, since the publication of the draft resolution A/56/L.62, the following countries have become sponsors: the Central African Republic, Haiti, India, the Islamic …
It is a great honour for me as a parliamentarian to be given an opportunity to address this body on the issue of getting members of parliaments more strongly involved in the activities of the United Nations. I would like to stress how important it is from my point of view to develop closer cooperati…
While Germany fully endorses and subscribes to the European Union statement on this item, allow me to seize this opportunity to make a few remarks on German activities related to the International Year of Volunteers. The Year produced numerous useful initiatives for a policy to promote voluntary soc…
Belgium, as Presidency of the European Union, has voiced our position as regards the peace process in the Middle East, and we fully associate ourselves with the statement made by our Belgian colleague. However, Germany found it necessary, together with other European Union partners, to abstain in th…
Only a few moments ago, we were informed of the crash of a commercial airliner not far from here, in Queens. At the moment, we do not know the cause of this disaster, but we are shocked and horrified. I would express to the bereaved families and to the American people our sincere condolences and sym…
We are meeting once again today to discuss the important issue of Security Council reform and to assess the work of the Open- ended Working Group.
I would like to begin by thanking Harri Holkeri, President of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly, who, in his capacity as Chairman of the O…
I thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting. Like the previous speaker, the Permanent Observer of Switzerland, I am grateful for the opportunity to present the results of the so-called Bonn-Berlin process.
Today’s session is another proof of the high importance attached to the question of sanction…
The eleventh of September has changed the international agenda. The struggle against terrorism has become a top priority for all of us.
The criminal attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania have challenged us as members of the civilized world. The unprecedented, faceless and barbaric acts w…
Later this afternoon, our Belgian colleague is going to speak on behalf of the European Union. I would like to make some additional remarks. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General and his staff for their thorough and detailed report. This report impressively shows the work done by the United…
Thank you very much, Mr. President, for following your usual procedure of starting on time.
When I introduced the traditional annual draft resolution on the situation in Afghanistan only two and
a half months ago, I certainly did not expect to introduce another draft resolution on Afghanistan so s…
I am pleased to introduce a draft resolution on Afghanistan under items 46 and 20 (d) of the agenda. As in previous years, more than 80 countries participated in the negotiations. I should like to thank them all for their valuable contributions and considerable efforts, which have helped to shape th…
It is becoming more and more difficult to be creative about reform initiatives because so many things have already been said. To retain the picture painted by the representative of Singapore of lovemaking elephants trampling around, we have now been trampling around for almost eight years, but we ha…
It is indeed an important event for me, as Chairman of the Group of Twelve Plus in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), encompassing 43 member countries and two parliamentary assemblies, to address this audience in order to underline the importance of new cooperation between the United Nations and t…
On behalf of the Group of Western European and other States, I would like to congratulate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on its admission to the United Nations. The Group is delighted to see the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia finally take its place within the family of nations, and warmly welcom…
Good morning, Mr. President. I think before I start my speech I should compliment you on your tough guidance and the good example you are setting, and I do hope that very soon the rest of the audience will follow and will recognize how important it is today that we should not squander our time when …
I take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the, as always, comprehensive and succinct briefing we have just received from Mr. Petritsch. Germany took note with satisfaction of the Council’s decision to organize this meeting in a manner that would allow non- members to express their opini…
The report of the Security Council has always been a comprehensive and long document which bears witness to the workload of the Council. All members of the Security Council therefore deserve our respect for shouldering this burden in exercising the duties conferred upon them by the Member States, un…
