S/PV.7402 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I warmly welcome Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to whom I give the floor.

I thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting on a very important subject. At the outset, I am very pleased to welcome Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU). The fathers of the Charter of the United Nations showed great foresight by envisaging a global and collective security architecture that clearly defined a place for regional agreements. Today in the area of ​ security, the United Nations is working closely and in various ways with different regional structures. We share the burden, provide support for and take the lead in operations if we are asked to do so. The challenges are too complex for one organization or one nation to meet alone; hence the need for partnerships and innovation. The strategic partnership between the European Union and the United Nations is deeply rooted. Our organizations share the same values and are both committed to the collective and peaceful management of security issues in order to prevent conflicts. In a time of multiple crises, it is more necessary than ever to strengthen this partnership for peace, human rights and sustainable development. It is also more necessary than ever that Europe overcome the frictions and internal difficulties it faces if it is to remain effective in the major missions it undertakes beyond its borders. (spoke in English) In recent years, the United Nations and the EU have made significant strides in working together for peace and security around the world, but we still encounter difficulties in mobilizing early action before a situation visibly deteriorates. Rapid and effective political engagement remains the single most important element for success in our preventive diplomacy efforts. The EU, which has helped to prevent conflict within its own borders, helps others to resolve their differences peacefully. It is a key actor in many international negotiations, such as the P-5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran, the Middle East peace process and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. EU support for United Nations diplomatic efforts in Libya has been invaluable. I also appreciate the EU’s support for mediation and its funding for the United Nations stand-by team of mediation experts. The European Union is also one of our strongest and most reliable regional peacekeeping partners, together with the African Union (AU). The implementation of the EU’s 2012 plan of action to enhance support to United Nations peacekeeping has played an important role. We look forward to working with the EU on a follow-on action plan for the next few years. The Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia are excellent examples of the comprehensive and complementary nature of the United Nations/ EU partnership. In Mali, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali is working very closely with the EU Training Mission and Capacity Building Mission for the Sahel and Mali. We are also benefiting from the uniformed contributions of 13 European Member States. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic has been working effectively with the EU-led peacekeeping force, and we are on track for a seamless handover by mid-March. This experience shows the tremendous potential for EU operations to deploy as bridging mechanisms to United Nations missions. In Somalia, building on the positive experience of the security strategy designed with AU and EU support in 2013, the Security Council has mandated another joint planning exercise to take place in 2015. I look forward to continuing our joint efforts to assist Somalia in advancing along the path charted in Vision 2016. The United Nations and the EU are not acting alone in Africa. The African Union’s partnership with both organizations and its role in addressing conflict are key components of the peace and security architecture on the continent. Our three organizations are also playing important roles in addressing the threat of Ebola in West Africa. The EU, with the capabilities of its Member States as well as the standing capacity of the EU Battlegroup, is also an indispensable partner of the United Nations on rapid response. Given the magnitude of the challenges we face, it is our responsibility to continue exploring scenarios where we can put our combined efforts to use. Both of our organizations are engaged in important reviews this year. Our peace operations review is under way, and the panel engaged in European consultations last month. Member States are also evaluating the Organization’s peacebuilding architecture, and there is a 10-year review of progress on resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security. The European Union, in turn, will be undertaking a comprehensive security and foreign policy review of its own. Allow me take this opportunity to once again express my condolences to the families of the victims of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen. Terrorism requires a global and holistic response that upholds human rights and does not exacerbate the problem. I value the United Nations-EU High-level Counter- Terrorism Political Dialogue and our cooperation to prevent violent extremism through capacity-building initiatives in challenged regions and countries. I am also grateful for the financial contributions that the European External Action Service has made to key United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building initiatives. Europe must look both outwards and inwards in order to foster global peace and security. The United Nations is strongly committed to working with the European Union and all other players in helping to discourage the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, who pose dangers within and beyond Europe. We must also collectively work towards a peaceful, political resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which threatens not only the country, but the broader European region and even international peace and security. While we all recognize that much remains to be done, our joint work over the past years has developed a solid foundation on which to build and deliver results for the people we serve.

I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. I wish to warmly welcome Ms. Federica Mogherini, as she is participating in the Council’s proceedings for the first time in her new capacity. I now give her the floor.

It is an honour for me to address the Security Council in my first months as High Representative of the European Union (EU). I thank the French presidency of the Council for this opportunity to discuss our partnership. (spoke in English) I would like to thank the Secretary-General not only for his briefing, but most of all for his friendship and for the excellent cooperation we have established already during these first months. Today is my first Security Council meeting in my current capacity, but it is the fifth on United Nations- EU cooperation. This regularity is testimony to our deepening relationship and also to the importance that the United Nations and the EU place on this relationship. In February last year, the Security Council adopted its first presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/4) on cooperation between the United Nations and the EU, encouraging us to strengthen our institutional relations and strategic partnership. And we all know how much this is needed, in particular in these difficult times. It has been a tumultuous year in the world. Hopes for a more peaceful and cooperative global order have been shattered by blatant violations of international law, the spread of terrorists groups, crises with disastrous humanitarian consequences, and the outbreak of diseases with the potential to destroy entire regions. We did not resign ourselves to the challenges; we rose to them together. And where cooperation among different forces prevailed over confrontation, things have started to change in the right direction. Europe’s commitment to multilateralism — with the United Nations at its core — arises from our values and beliefs. But it is also an act of realism. The threats we face have never been so complex, as the Secretary- General very rightly said. They require complex, articulated responses. The time when super-Powers thought they could split the world into spheres of influence is long gone, we should all realize that. The number of regional and global actors has multiplied, and none of them can realistically aspire to facing the challenges or truly benefiting from the opportunities alone. We need cooperation more than ever. The new global order will be multilateral, or it will not be. We see the strategic partnership with the United Nations as a key relationship, but I should also underline the importance to us of regional partners, notably the League of Arab States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the African Union, and our regional interlocutors in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. Multilayered partnerships under the guidance of the Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for international peace and security, will be the only possible foundation of the future global security agenda. With that in mind, I will address a few issues I am sure we all put at the top of our agenda, starting with Libya. We need to put the country back on track, and there is not much time left. Libya needs a united and effective State, or chaos will prevail. Like the Council, we strongly support the tenacious efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General León to bring the parties together. Libya’s factions should know that Europe and the whole international community is ready to help them rebuild their country by all possible means. The European Union is ready and willing to provide all kinds of assistance, in strong coordination and permanent with the United Nations and with other regional players, but first of all with our Libyan friends. We need the Libyan factions to take the first step. Libya’s political leaders should now make every effort to find the necessary compromises to grasp this last chance to agree on a transitional national unity Government. That should happen within days, not weeks, as time does not work on our side. With the deepening crisis, the Daesh franchise has been spreading thousands of miles away from the Levant. With no State control on Libya’s coasts or land borders, human traffickers have already been able to put at risk the lives of too many migrants. We have witnessed the destabilizing effects of the conflict on the entire Sahel and sub-Saharan regions. Terrorism, uncontrolled migrations, regional instability — a unity Government in Libya is vital for addressing all these issues. It will be vital, first of all, for giving all Libyans the security and the decent living conditions that their country can offer and that they deserve after so many difficult years. But these are not simply Libyan problems; they concern all of us. So it is in our common interest and our common responsibility to contribute in all possible ways and, as a matter of urgency, to solve them. Strong cooperation between the United Nations and the EU, which we have developed in these months working on the Libya crisis, is crucial. I expect that in the coming months such cooperation will become even more vital. Tackling terrorism means closing all the spaces where extremism flourishes. It is a security challenge, of course, but we should not forget its political and cultural dimensions. As I said, defeating Daesh in Libya requires a political agreement among the country’s factions. The same applies to Syria. This is one of the reasons the European Union fully supports the United Nations efforts for peace. Staffan de Mistura’s work for local ceasefires can pave the way towards a political solution to the crisis. We hope it may be the first move in the direction of a Syrian-led transition after too many years of bloodshed. At the same time, the grave violations committed against the civilian population demand accountability and an end to impunity. The EU is united in its support for the work of the Council, in particular its resolutions 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014). I call on all countries to swiftly implement those resolutions with full respect for human rights and the rule of law. We believe that long-term stability and security can go hand in hand with respect for human rights and freedoms. Respect for human rights and international humanitarian law are key factors for peace and stability and a guiding principle for the European Union. At last week’s meeting of the Human Rights Council, I personally underlined the strong commitment of the European Union to the human rights bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations. There is no stability without democracy; there is no security without human rights. Stability and security cannot exist without a fair trial system, a serious commitment towards good governance, the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Stability versus democracy or security versus human rights are false dilemmas. We should never fall into that trap. But the fight against terrorism is a battle for hearts and minds, too. Daesh and other terrorist groups are trying to revive a fabricated clash of civilizations. We will not forget that the first victims of their attacks are Muslims — Sunni and Shia — Arabs, Africans and Asians. This is not a clash of civilizations; this is not a fight between Islam and the West. This is a criminal misuse of a noble religion to perpetrate terrorist attacks in a fight for power. As we have all realized, Daesh is good at propaganda. We need to counter its narrative both in our home countries and abroad. We need to work on our own European challenges when it comes to integration, opportunities, dialogue and respect. We need to work more with our partners outside Europe. We will follow up on the outcome of the Washington, D.C., Summit on Countering Violent Extremism, in particular through fostering cooperation, which includes education through engaging more with local communities, especially in the Horn of Africa. That is where we plan to hold our annual plenary session of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum Horn of Africa Working Group, which will take place in Uganda on 17 to 20 March this year. We stand ready to facilitate further forms of dialogue, including the possibility of creating a round table of eminent persons from Europe and the Islamic world to encourage intellectual exchanges and promote dialogue on the roots and ramifications of terrorism in our societies. On education, the European Union will host a regional experts’ meeting in early summer to involve the European Union’s Radicalisation Awareness Network, and with the United Nations, we will explore options to host a high-level side event during the General Assembly’s seventieth session in September to promote the message for enhanced global partnerships in countering violent extremism. We all know how war, terror and poverty force millions of people to leave their home countries in search of a better future. We need to face the phenomenon of migration under many perspectives — international aid, crisis management, border control, integration, social inclusion. All those issues need to be tackled effectively, but there is one thing we should never forget; this is a matter of human lives — saving human lives. We cannot let the Mediterranean, the cradle of millennial civilizations, turn into a grave for tens of thousands of innocent people. Along with my colleagues responsible for internal affairs and migration, we are promoting deeper cooperation among EU member States to find political and operational solutions to prevent further tragedies. At the same time, we are stepping up efforts to support the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, and we must face collectively, in solidarity, our duty to provide for the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. There is much work to be done to guarantee that refugees are welcomed in our societies. They should all be provided with an opportunity to pursue their own happiness and to contribute to the development of the new communities. Social cohesion, solidarity, the protection of human life — these values are at the core of the European project. This is a test the European Union cannot fail, but we will never succeed alone. Addressing uncontrolled migration is not just a task for Europe; it is a responsibility we share. Countries of the region are already making an effort that calls for all our international support, starting with Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Tunisia and many EU countries. I can guarantee we are doing our part and will be doing so even more, but we need all countries to stand up to the challenge. It is a common interest and a common moral duty, since we need to work together for the stability of regions that in our world are facing terrible threats. Yesterday in Kidal, a rocket attack on a camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali killed 2 Malian children and a Chadian United Nations peacekeeper, and injured 11 peacekeepers and 3 civilians. No more than two days ago, a terrorist attack in Bamako claimed the lives of several people, including a security officer of Belgian nationality working for the EU delegation in Mali. Those acts strengthen even more our resolve to help fight terrorism throughout the region and to conclude a peace agreement in Bamako. In Mali the EU is providing both civilian and military training missions for the reconstruction and retraining of the armed forces. This is part of a coherent medium-term strategy to build up African national capacity, enabling them to replace in due course the United Nations peace support operation. I am pleased that the Security Council is travelling to Africa later today, as cooperation among the African Union, the EU and the United Nations is key to regional stability, and we have long-standing partnerships with both organizations. In the field of security and peace support operations, these partnerships increasingly overlap, and it is time to reflect on how this trilateral cooperation works and could work even better. As was reaffirmed at the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels in April 2014, the EU is committed to supporting Africa’s efforts to manage its own security. We have supported the African peace and security architecture from the outset and aim to give practical help at all levels — national, regional and continental — to enable its implementation. The EU has put its money where its mouth is. In the 10 years since 2004, the EU has provided €1.2 billion in support of the African Union-led peace operations through the African Peace Facility. All in all, 16 Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations have been deployed on the African continent so far, bringing practical support and concrete results in a number of fragile or post-crisis countries. In the Central African Republic, the European Union force, under a mandate from this Council, has been working closely with both the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic, and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, to provide vital protection for the civil population in Bangui. Indeed, we feel our cooperation with the United Nations in the planning and conduct of that mission has been exemplary. Off the Horn of Africa, Operation Atalanta has helped drive piracy from the seas. To prevent conflict, however, nothing works better than transparent and accountable Government in which all citizens and groups in a country feel represented and protected and that their concerns are heard, their needs are taken care of, and their active participation is welcomed. Hence, the efforts of the African Union and the United Nations to encourage good governance, the fight against corruption, and the full respect of constitutional rule are fundamental building blocks to prevent crises. Through strong cooperation among the African Union, the United Nations and the European Union, we can combine our efforts to the greatest effect as we face the immediate challenges and build capacities to address the underlying causes in a comprehensive and long-term perspective. This year, Africa has had to cope not only with crisis and conflict; last week in Brussels, we sent a message of hope but also of continued determination to fight Ebola. That fight will not stop until we see an end to the disease and the recovery of the countries, societies and communities affected. It is a fight that is based on cooperation, partnership, trust, and ownership of the response, in particular of local communities. It has been a fight that has been conducted primarily in West Africa by the people and authorities of the three most affected countries. It has also been very much a collective effort. The lead role of the United Nations has been crucial for all of us. It has expertise, experience and global convening power. I would like to pay tribute to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his work in rallying international support. It has been very important, and will continue to be so. As we focus on the southern border of Europe and on the neighbours to the south of our own southern neighbours, we have to face the events in the eastern part of our continent as well. What has happened in Ukraine over the past year is the most serious crisis in Europe since the Balkan Wars. And let me add here that the Balkans offer us all, today, reasons to be proud and optimistic. Exactly 20 years after Srebrenica, we see how far peace, democracy and regional integration can go, if we invest in it. But in Ukraine, today, achieving a sustainable solution is urgent, not least due to the death toll and the humanitarian impact of the conflict. The cost of that crisis in terms of human lives is huge; almost 6,000 people have been killed and many more injured. And let us not forget the number of refugees and internally displaced persons. Fundamental norms of international law, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, are being challenged. That cannot go unanswered. The European Union condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol as a violation of international law. That is also the position of the United Nations, as expressed in the 2014 General Assembly resolution 68/262. Let me say that the United Nations counts. It was important that the package of measures adopted in Minsk on 12 Feb was endorsed by the Security Council. The ceasefire is fragile and no effort should be spared to sustain it. The withdrawal of heavy weapons is only a first step. The swift and full implementation of all points of the Minsk Agreements by all sides is key to bringing about a sustainable political solution to the conflict. We will continue to support the implementation of the Minsk agreements, notably through in-kind and financial contributions to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission. I am constantly in touch with the United Nations Secretary-General, as well as the Secretary General of the OSCE, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, to ensure that our respective support is effective and well coordinated. We are also grateful to various United Nations agencies for coordinating international humanitarian efforts and for their objective reporting on the human rights situation. Our policy towards Ukraine is crystal clear — we want to put an end to the conflict. We need to put an end to the conflict and to safeguard the territorial integrity of Ukraine. But we also have to make sure that Ukraine becomes a functional State that honours the aspirations of its peoples. Whoever wishes to push towards those goals will find Europe’s door wide open for cooperation. Europe was built on the principle of cooperation, both within its borders, and with our neighbours. We want to keep that as a core principle of our policies. The conflictual, complex world we live in needs more cooperation, not less, everywhere. The most recent crises should not distract us from the Middle East peace process. Let us not forget that another war was fought in Gaza no more than six months ago. We should all put our best efforts into restarting the peace process. The alternative to peace is not the status quo. If we do not mend the wound, it will only get worse. If we do not act, more violence will come. We need action. For that reason, my first visit as High Representative was to Gaza, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ramallah in the Middle East. Europe is ready to take its part of the responsibility in restarting the process, which is why we took the initiative of hosting, a few weeks ago in Europe, a Quartet meeting — the first one in over a year, at principals level. We need to recreate the international framework that can lead to a solution. We all know that the only way to resolve the conflict is through an agreement between the parties that ends the occupation which began in 1967, that ends all claims, and that fulfils the aspirations of both sides. There is no other solution than a two-State solution, with a secure State of Israel and an independent, democratic, sovereign and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition. We also know that we need to facilitate a regional framework that can support a solution. Out of the current regional crises, we have the opportunity to redefine a different balance that would be peaceful for all, but we have to start from the fundamentals: we need to protect the viability of the two-State solution. Israel should renew its commitment to halt all new settlements in the West Bank and should resume the transfer of Palestinian Authority revenues, in line with its obligations. The Palestinian factions should set aside their rivalries with a view to moving towards real national reconciliation, and restore governmental control in Gaza. As I mentioned previously, I visited Gaza a few months ago. The humanitarian situation faced by the population of the Gaza Strip must be addressed urgently. Basic infrastructure and services must be restored. The European Union has welcomed pledges made by members of the international community towards the reconstruction of Gaza; those pledges now need to be honoured as a matter of urgency. The European Union calls for a fundamental change of the political, security and economic situation in Gaza, including the end of the closure, and responses to Israel’s legitimate security concerns. Direct negotiations between the parties should resume as soon as possible. The international community must take its responsibility in facilitating the resumption of negotiations. We are ready to do our part. The Quartet must redouble its efforts to facilitate a renewed peace process and, in doing so, reach out to all stakeholders, in particular in the region, to make sure that the push for peace is supported and embraced by all key actors. In that context, allow me to recall that the Arab Peace Initiative remains a cornerstone of any future peace. The regional turmoil reinforces the sense of urgency. As Daesh challenges our frontiers, and the frontiers and sovereignty of existing States, Israel and Palestine have the chance to mutually recognize their borders and their right to security. Peace in the Holy Places could lay out the most resounding message against extremism, for the region and the whole world. Speaking of the Middle East and of cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations, we cannot forget the European Union’s role — and my personal one — as a facilitator in the talks with Iran. Our aim is ambitious, and at the same time very realistic: we need an agreement that both satisfies Iran’s legitimate aspirations to a peaceful nuclear programme, and guarantees the security of the region and the whole world. The only possible deal is one that guarantees the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. There is still work to be done, and the next weeks will be crucial ones. But, we have never been so close to what could be a turning point in the history of Iran’s relationship with the West and with the region. We should not waste such a historic opportunity. Just before I conclude, allow me to look ahead. The year 2015 is a crucial year for the United Nations; not only will we celebrate its seventieth anniversary, but we will also see crucial processes coming to their conclusions and new ones taking shape — processes that will determine the global agenda for decades to come. The results will influence global security for a generation or more. We are in the midst of discussions on the post- 2015 agenda. We must advocate a truly transformative agenda. It must address the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced way, and everywhere in our world. Peaceful societies and freedom from violence are crucial ingredients, and peace is not possible without development and respect for human rights. Understanding these interdependencies should make us even more committed to supporting the efforts of the Secretary-General for a truly transformational and comprehensive approach to poverty eradication and sustainable development this year. This year is also the twentieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). It is a unique opportunity for us all to support the United Nations in its work for the advancement of gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and the fight against all forms of violence against women. I am pleased to have just attended the opening session of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. This is an important year, too, for our common work on peace. When peace fails, we must be willing and able to act decisively and, often, quickly. Most often the United Nations is called upon to take the lead. The result is that United Nations peacekeeping is facing ever-increasing demands. The United Nations needs to adapt its response to crises that are ever more complex and increasingly involve a large number of non-State stakeholders. Conflicts have changed; so must the means to respond to them. The EU fully supports the review of United Nations peace operations the Secretary-General launched last year. The review is timely and very necessary. We look to the Security Council to take on the leadership role as prescribed by the Charter. The world expects the Security Council to respond decisively and timely to the crises we face. Our Union, the European Union, is built on the same values and the same vision of a cooperative world order that led to the foundation of the United Nations, 70 years ago. In 70 years, the threats to peace have evolved continuously, and so must we. Our tools need to be updated so as to meet new challenges. But our hopes and aspirations — to save future generations from war, fight for democracy and human rights, and promote social progress — are still the same. The European Union is confident it can play a key role in working towards a more peaceful future. We seek the cooperation of others in the world, under the guidance of the United Nations. We will only succeed if we all do our part. We will only succeed if the nations of our world are truly united.

I thank Ms. Mogherini for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I also think the High Representative for her detailed briefing. When I make a statement on behalf of Spain, I begin with a formula stating that I fully align myself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union, which usually follows those made by members of the Security Council. On this occasion, it preceded mine and I would like to say that I align myself especially closely and enthusiastically with the statement the High Representative has just made on this, her first visit to the Security Council of the United Nations. The European Union, as the High Representative said, is a community of values and principles – values and principles that were reflected some 70 years ago in the Charter of the United Nations and which we fully share. Those values and principles are shared by a great many regional organizations. I would like to say that the principal value shared by the European Union and all such regional organizations — and, of course, by the United Nations — is precisely that of preserving international peace and security. The relationship between the United Nations and European Union is marked by two major milestones: the first was the Joint Declaration of 2003 and, more recently, the adoption of presidential statement S/PRST/2014/4 in 2014. The relationship between the two organizations could not be more fruitful and positive. There are many very clear examples of far- reaching and effective cooperation, but I will limit myself to two: first, the civil and military missions of the European Union, and especially those in situations where joint operations have been carried out; and secondly, all of those areas in which the European Union provides training and equipment assistance. That is all to say that the European Union, the Security Council and the United Nations constantly strive to work together, and I would like to underscore the effective work of the delegation of the European Union and its team to that end. Turning to the future, I would focus on two challenges facing the European Union and United Nations in their joint work. First of all, I believe there is a need to further fine-tune rapid response mechanisms. Secondly — and this is absolutely fundamental — is tripartite cooperation among the European Union, the United Nations and our African friends in the African Union. The High Representative addressed in great detail the many crises affecting our world today. I will refer to only a few of them very briefly because she said everything there is to be said, and I fully subscribe to what she said. I would simply say that I agree that the Middle East peace process must succeed and we therefore support the appointment of a high representative of the European Union in that regard. With regard to Iran, I fully agree with her remarks; we must ensure that Iran can access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and that its neighbours in the region can live fully in peace. Spain chairs the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), and in my capacity as its Chairman I assure the Council that I value extremely highly the personal commitment of the High Representative to the Iranian dossier. With regard to Libya, as the High Representative said, this issue constitutes a clear threat to peace and security in the Mediterranean and the European Union. Our ultimate aim is for the Libyan people to be able to live in peace. The principal victims of any crisis in Libya are our friends the Libyan people. We therefore welcome the fact that, as the High Representative said, the European Union will spare no effort in rebuilding Libya and supporting the political process there, where we commend the efforts of Bernardino León, who has our unequivocal support. With regard to Ukraine, above all we must prevent further suffering for the Ukrainian population. I believe that there are clear before-and-after scenarios for the Minsk agreements of 12 February. Subsequently, there has also been before-and-after scenarios for the Security Council’s endorsement of the Minsk agreements, which allows the Council to monitor the Ukrainian crisis closely. Clearly, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe plays an important role with the support of the European Union. I would like to dwell further on Africa because Africa and Europe really do share common challenges, such as the fights against terrorism, poverty, radicalization and piracy. Several of these are shared challenges for Africans and Europeans alike because Europe cannot accept an Africa that is in crisis. That is why we always support, and Spain will always support, development, peace and prosperity on the African continent. We support the idea that Africans should always be the masters of their own destiny when it comes to resolving crises through the African Union and international and subregional organizations on the continent. We therefore welcome in particular the European Union support for the operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture, the establishment of the African Standby Force and the African early-warning and conflict-prevention mechanisms. The recent joint meeting of the Ambassadors of the European Union Political and Security Committee and of the African Union Peace and Security Council was an excellent example in this regard. In conclusion, as perfectly reflected in the statement of the High Representative, the European Union, through its Common Security and Defence Policy, is carrying out tireless work for international peace and security in the same areas as the Council is. Our joint cooperation must continue to make progress and be strengthened on the basis of the fundamental values that we share: respect for the law, human rights and egalitarian and comprehensive development for all persons and nations. Spain, as a member of the European Union, will defend those principles above all. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement this morning, and let me join others in welcoming High Representative Mogherini to New York to brief us today, in the first of many such briefings, I hope. At the outset, I would like to offer condolences on behalf of the United Kingdom to the families of those killed and injured in two terrorist attacks in Mali over the weekend, among them United Nations peacekeepers, United Nations staff and European Union (EU) delegation staff. The importance and value of the United Nations cooperation with the European Union and other regional organizations speaks for itself. In 1945, Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations specifically encouraged regional arrangements to play their part in the pacific settlement of local disputes, and the following 70 years have borne out that foresight. The European Union, just like the United Nations itself, arose as a direct consequence of the Second World War. Building closer ties among European Union countries to foster mutual understanding and cooperation has led to a more secure Europe, which has delivered increased prosperity for citizens of EU member States. The echoes of Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations are clear to see in that progress. Both organizations champion human rights, the rule of law, development and the pacific settlement of disputes. Among many other things, International Women’s Day, celebrated yesterday, highlighted the role that women play in international peace and security, another issue to which both organizations give particular emphasis. By championing those values, both organizations contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. That is apparent in Somalia, where an African Union mission with United Nations and EU logistical and financial support has helped drive back Al-Shabaab and allowed for the re-emergence of a legitimate Somali Government working for the Somali people. In the Central African Republic, an EU force helped bridge the transition from an African Union mission to one from the United Nations. The European Union is also actively supporting the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. EU support to transitions has worked successfully in reverse as well. The EU force in Bosnia has taken the place of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there, supporting stability in that part of Europe and allowing the people of Bosnia to choose their own future. The continued presence of Operation Althea of the European Union-led peacekeeping force, with a mandate under Chapter VII of the Charter, is vital to preventing any return to the violent ethnic divisions that once plagued the region. Aside from peacekeeping, the EU leadership of the E3+3 negotiations with Iran on the nuclear dossier is another strong example of how our cooperation can help counter nuclear proliferation and preserve international peace and security. That we may be close to a deal is in large part due to the diplomatic efforts of former EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, and I hope that under the guidance of High Representative Mogherini we will soon see a successful outcome to the talks. The EU is also supporting United Nations efforts in Libya and leading on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. While the EU can and does support the United Nations in a number of ways, there are situations in which the United Nations is unable to take action because of the position of certain Council members. In the face of such situations, the European Union can still speak out and act based on the shared values I have set out. This is particularly the case with regard to the situation in Ukraine. When the Council failed to condemn Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea last year, the European Union delivered a clear message and backed it up with clear consequences for Russia. As Russia increased its support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine and the violence there escalated, the EU ratcheted up the sanctions regime. As Ukraine’s economy suffered, the EU provided significant financial support. With the Minsk agreements, an end to the hostilities is possible, but implementation of the agreements needs to be verified and effectively monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, if trust is to be rebuilt. EU/United Nations cooperation has proved its worth on numerous occasions. The two organizations will continue to work together, complementing each other’s efforts and thereby strengthening the purposes and principles of the Charter.

My delegation commends, with thanks, the French presidency for convening this briefing on the cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union (EU). We thank the Secretary-General for his remarks this morning. Let me warmly welcome Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union. We thank Ms. Mogherini for her very comprehensive briefing, especially on the global challenges we face in the world today and on the multifaceted cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations. It is well established that the cooperation with regional and subregional organizations strengthens United Nations efforts to maintain international peace and security, prevent conflict and restore stability in post-conflict situations. Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations provides the framework for the participation of regional and subregional organizations in matters related to international peace and security under the Security Council’s authority. Such organizations complement the work of the United Nations with comparative advantages, providing knowledge of specific regional issues and better understanding of the causes of conflict. The current security challenges demand the strengthening of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations in crisis management, conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, which no country or organization can meet alone. We therefore acknowledge the European Union’s commitment to multilateralism. Its cooperation with the United Nations, in focus and scope, is a clear demonstration of that. Angola values greatly the Joint Africa-EU Strategy and the road map adopted at the fourth EU-Africa Summit, held in Brussels in April 2014, which provides the long-term framework for Africa-EU relations, to be implemented on the basis of jointly identified priorities, including peace and security, democratic governance, human rights, sustainable development and global and emerging issues. The Africa-EU partnership also enhanced the dialogue between the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council and the EU Political and Security Committee. The annual meetings between these two bodies are important tools in supporting AU efforts in the area of peace and security. The EU provision of capacity-building in Somalia and its direct and sustained effort in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia from its beginning has played an instrumental role in bringing stability and, we hope, sustainable peace to that country. We are now beginning to see some good signs of this. In Mali, the EU remains committed to supporting the stabilization process at the political, security, humanitarian and development levels through the implementation of the framework of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel in response to the complex challenges in Mali and in the region of the Sahel. We welcome the launching on 19 January of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission in Mali to help Mali ensure the return of constitutional and democratic order. The Central African Republic is one of the most notorious cases of extensive cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations, as well as other regional organizations. The establishment, on 19 January, of an EU military advisory mission to provide expert advice on the reform of the security sector is a decision that will have an important impact on the country’s stabilization. I strongly commend the EU for its support to Guinea Bissau, a brother country to which we are particularly attached. As Guinea Bissau’s main development partner, we are particularly pleased that the European Union has lifted the restrictions to cooperation with Guinea Bissau after the return of constitutional order to the country and the push made by the present authorities to change the military leadership. The cooperation extended by the EU to Guinea Bissau in conflict prevention and the provision of water and energy, aimed at restoring the basic livelihood of the people of Guinea Bissau, is most welcome. The budgetary support that is being given to the State is another means to provide the conditions for a decent life to the country’s citizens. We also value the cooperation in capacity-building aimed at strengthening institutions, improving governance, promoting national reconciliation and macroeconomic stability, and the allocation of resources for projects addressing cross-cutting issues, such as gender, child protection, the environment and the support of civil society organizations of Guinea Bissau. We acknowledge and welcome the leading role the EU is playing in finding solutions to crisis situation in the Western Balkans, in particular the involvement of the European Union in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Angola also commends the commitment of the EU towards the diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a political and peaceful solution to the Ukrainian conflict and the continued economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Angola encourages the EU to maintain the influence it is exerting towards finding solutions to a number of global issues, which have been presented very well today to the Security Council by the High Representative. We therefore would like Ms. Mogherini to come back to the Security Council to strengthen this important cooperation between our two bodies.

I cordially welcome the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini, to the Council, and thank her and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for their briefings. In a world that is getting flatter, cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is not an option, but an essential element of preventing, managing and resolving conflicts. The European Union (EU) has been the most reliable partner in promoting the United Nations principles and strengthening respect for the rule of law. It has been one of the biggest donors of humanitarian aid. As the Secretary-General pointed out during the most recent debate on this issue (see S/PV.7112), the EU is a champion of human rights and a steadfast partner in promoting the Millennium Development Goals, advancing gender equality and tackling climate change. We see tangible results of this cooperation, as reflected in the first-ever presidential statement on institutional and strategic partnership between the United Nations and the EU (S/PRST/2014/4), adopted under the Lithuanian presidency a year ago. The threat of terrorism has put the collective efforts of the international community to an unprecedented test. While this threat is not new, the recent tragic developments in Iraq, Nigeria, the Sahel region and elsewhere, including on European soil, attest to the capacity of terrorism to spread and transform. It is only through institutional cooperation that we are able to meet the pressing need to shape and implement effective counter-terrorism policies. The landmark resolution 2178 (2014) provides important guidance in this regard, and is high on the agenda of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, which Lithuania chairs. In December last year, the Committee heard a briefing (see S/PV.7351) by Ms. Mara Marinaki, Managing Director for Global and Multilateral Issues of the European External Action Service, on the European Union’s role in the areas of common interest. Lithuania recently joined the counter-messaging working group of the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is in line with the EU’s strengthened commitment in the field. As reaffirmed at the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels last April, the EU is committed to supporting Africa’s efforts to manage its own security. The EU continues to provide targeted assistance, notably via its Common Security and Defence Policy missions, and to financially contribute to African Union peacekeeping operations. The Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia are some examples where the EU and the United Nations work hand in hand to restore peace and bring stability. Continued and more systematic interaction of the United Nations, the EU and other regional and subregional organizations, in particular the African Union, is crucial for ensuring an effective collective response to the global challenges, such as an unprecedented Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The European Union has been a key partner in the United Nations and national efforts to eradicate this disease. The EU plays an active role in encouraging parties to resume the Middle East peace process. We commend High Representative Mogherini for her personal engagement, including her recent initiative to seek further engagement of regional partners, in particular Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt. At the same time, the EU, together with its member States, remains one of the major donors of the Palestinian Authority. The situation in Libya remains a matter of grave concern. Overcoming existing differences and forming a Government of national unity is urgent in order to save the country and prevent the spread of radical extremism and terrorism in the region. We fully support Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernardino León’s efforts in this respect. The Council must be particularly careful with its decisions on the lifting of the arms embargo and consider the impact of such steps on the wider region. We appreciate the efforts of the High Representative aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution to Iran’s nuclear issue in the framework of E3+3 negotiations. A successful outcome of this negotiation would lead to greater stability and security in the entire region and beyond. The EU, together with the United Nations, has to continue working actively to facilitate a political solution to the Syrian conflict, which is the only way out of this tremendous tragedy. We look forward to the EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq, as well as the Daesh threat. Ensuring accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law must remain a priority. Turning to the European neighbourhood, we are confident that the stabilization and association agreements between the EU and Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina will contribute to the overall stability of the region. EU engagement in and commitment to facilitating the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue remains crucial. We look forward to furthering the process of normalizing the relations between the two capitals as Serbia and Kosovo continue on their respective European paths. The commitment of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to undertaking reforms in the framework of the EU accession process is a solid signal. Lithuania remains concerned about developments in the South Caucasus, where Russia continues to pursue a policy of de facto annexation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia under the guise of so- called alliance and integration treaties, in violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Positive signals are badly needed in Ukraine. This conflict, caused by Russia’s aggression towards its neighbour, undermines the international system that emerged out of the ashes of the Second World War and threatens international peace and security. Ceasefire agreements have been repeatedly broken by Russia-sponsored militants, causing thousands of deaths, massive displacement and enormous suffering. By adopting resolution 2202 (2015), the Council put its weight behind the Minsk agreements and the implementation of the package of measures. We must make sure that the ceasefire does not end up as badly as the previous ones. EU sanctions must be maintained as long as destabilization is ongoing. Further measures should be discussed if the Minsk accords are broken again. Both the EU and the United Nations should continue providing support to the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The monitoring of the whole section of the Ukrainian-Russian border that has until now allowed a free flow of Russian weapons, fighters and mercenaries into the militant-held area should be ensured. The OSCE monitors should be provided with unrestricted, safe and secure access to all areas. Consolidated United Nations, EU, OSCE and Council of Europe efforts are needed in order to ensure secure, safe and unrestricted international access to the whole territory of Ukraine, including Crimea and along the border with Russia. We should also carefully study the peacekeeping option, as requested by the Ukrainian Government. International efforts to support the Ukrainian Government and its people in dealing with the humanitarian crisis facing the country should be stepped up. Lithuania has contributed to the joint operation organized by the European Commission and Union member States through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is providing bilateral and multilateral support in response to growing humanitarian needs in the country. Finally, we look forward to the High Representative’s further briefings to the Council.

At the outset, I would like to welcome the High Representative of the European Union (EU), Ms. Federica Mogherini, to the Security Council and to thank her for her first — and valuable — briefing since her assumption of her duties, which we hope will signal continued cooperation and interaction between the United Nations and the European Union. I would also like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his own valuable briefing. In the complex environment in which we live and face various regional challenges, the cooperation of the United Nations with regional and subregional organizations has become ever more important to the realization of international and regional stability and peace, and an increasingly necessary strategic option in dealing with many issues and in achieving the aspirations of the United Nations, its Member States and peoples of the world. Jordan believes that regional challenges require regional solutions and the establishment of sound partnerships among different organizations. They also require paying greater attention to relationships between the United Nations and such regional organizations as the European Union, the African Union and the League of Arab States, which would enhance the role played by all these organizations in addressing regional issues and their containment. There is no alternative to the important role played by these regional organizations in the maintenance of peace and security in their respective regions. As regional organizations, they are better able to understand the nature of the regions, their needs and the challenges they face. The active role played by the European Union in international forums and in its bilateral and regional partnerships, not only with countries within Europe and their neighbours but with many other countries of the world, adds further importance to the United Nations work to preserve peace, prevent conflict and promote regional and international security. The common values and objectives of the United Nations and the European Union facilitate the work of both organizations in facing today’s challenges in promoting human rights and equality and mediation and rapprochement among conflicting parties. At the diplomatic and foreign policy levels, the European Union plays a major role in contributing to regional complementarity based on joint cooperation. In the face of global challenges, security threats and economic pressures in our world today, the European Union has become involved in many regional or international efforts to develop a unique and effective set of tools and mechanisms for promoting political partnership, economic support and commercial activity, as well as in dealing with crises and finding appropriate solutions for them. Most of the challenges we face are transboundary, transcending the borders of one country or one region. The EU is a unique regional organization since it is aware that the security and stability of one region depends on what is happening in neighbouring countries and other regions. In the Middle East, the European Union plays an active and supportive role in the resolution of many issues in the region, which it considers to be one of its highest priorities and major interests in the foreign policy sphere. The States members of the European Union and countries of the Middle East also share the same vital interest and security concerns, such as terrorist organizations and transborder crime, which can only be addressed through a strong regional partnership. The European Union is also an important member of the international Quartet, together with the United Nations, the United States of America and the Russian Federation, with a view to reaching a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue and the establishment of the independent State of Palestine. It is also the largest donor to the Palestinian people and considers the establishment of peace between Palestinians and Israelis to be one of its major foreign policy objectives. That in itself indicates the determination by the European Union to further contribute to the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli issue and other thorny issues in the Middle East. Another example of the active role played by the European Union is reflected in its great contributions to assisting Middle Eastern and North African countries in implementing political reforms, bringing about democratic transition and providing social and economic support. In Libya, the deterioration of the situation will have repercussions not only in neighbouring countries but also in Europe, the Middle East and the rest of the world. International cooperation should therefore be intensified and focus on relaunching a political dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations to find the best means to support the Libyan Government and its legitimate, constitutional institutions as they face the security and political challenges of confronting fundamentalism and terrorism so that Libya can finally and successfully complete its transitional process. I should also mention the positive role the European Union has played in its efforts to contain crises and achieve stability in the Balkans, particularly in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Ukraine, as well as through its contribution to strengthening States’ capacities in order to establish stable societies and supporting peace, security and the rule of law. The rapprochement that has been achieved among countries in the Middle East and those of the European Union has also had many positive results, including the special relationship that exists between Jordan and the EU. We have excellent cooperative relations through the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the Deauville Partnership, launched under a French initiative in 2011. Jordan is also the European Union’s premier partner in the area of technical negotiations, particularly regarding the establishment of a partnership on migration. In conclusion, the complex challenges we face show clearly that strengthening cooperation and coordinating our efforts, as well as exchanging expertise and lessons learned between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, has become ever more vital as we combat current threats to peace and security by developing rapid reaction systems for preventing and resolving crises and ensuring that problematic situations do not arise. It is important that such cooperation continues on the basis of our shared values and goals, and with the aim of maintaining international peace and security.

We would first like to warmly welcome Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to the Security Council, and we thank her and the Secretary-General for their briefings. The Russian Federation has consistently advocated the development and improvement of cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional mechanisms on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and Chapter VIII of the Charter in particular. It is on that basis, and within the framework adopted by the General Assembly in May 2011 in its resolution 65/276, that cooperation should be established between our global Organization and the European Union (EU). The European Union is a significant political and economic player in the international arena, helping to strengthen multilateralism under the leading role of the United Nations in combating new challenges and threats and eradicating poverty. We have seen the added value that the EU has brought to its cooperation, including financially, in areas involving individual countries, particularly the Central African Republic, Mali and the Sahel region as a whole, and to the efforts to arrive at a peaceful settlement of the situation concerning Iran’s nuclear programme. We have taken note of the contribution of the European Union’s missions, conducted within the framework of its Common Security and Defence Policy, to international conflict-resolution efforts. Despite the fact that relations between the EU and Russia are currently being severely tested, we are ready to continue cooperating with Brussels and all European Union member States on the wide range of issues where our interests coincide. Our positions differ on some issues on the international agenda. Nonetheless, there are a number of areas where our cooperation continues, including within the United Nations. Those include our opposition to such global challenges as terrorism, religious extremism, piracy, drug trafficking, transnational crime, illegal migration, combating the Ebola virus, dealing with the Middle East peace process and resolving the situations in Libya and around Iran’s nuclear programme. We are interested in full cooperation with Brussels, but only when it is conducted on an equal footing and takes into account each other’s interests and concerns. We hope the European Union will shake off the untoward influence of anti-Russian marginals among its ranks. We have a positive experience of ad hoc joint security actions, including past operations and missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chad and the Central African Republic, and currently with the anti-piracy Operation Atalanta in the area of the Horn of Africa. In that regard, it is important to remember that in implementing its crisis-management operations, the European Union and its member States should always go strictly by the relevant decisions of the Security Council. While recognizing the importance of efforts on the part of Brussels to establish a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, we note that the sides must arrive at any agreements on their own, without any pressure and without undermining the role of the United Nations. We have been closely following the work of the European Union’s Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine, which was launched on 1 December. We assume that among other things, the mission will help to root out nationalist sentiment within Ukraine’s law-enforcement and judicial authorities. At this stage, we see one of its main tasks as making a legal assessment of the activity of the punitive battalions of the so-called private armies in south- eastern Ukraine and helping to solve the problem of illegal Ukrainian armed groups. We are also expecting principled evaluations of the lustration law on cleansing the Government and of other laws designed to restrict the rights of certain groups in Ukrainian society. We do not understand why the European Union has still not reacted to the fact that, in association with a Ukrainian national holiday, a day celebrating the creation of the collaborationist Ukrainian insurgent army that the Nazis organized to carry out punitive operations in the occupied territories was declared national holiday. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that despite the growing demand for an effective mechanism for organizing a division of labour between the United Nations and regional associations, including the EU, the leading role of the Security Council in issues related to the maintenance of international peace and security is unshakable. It is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and cannot be subject to review.

We would like to thank the French presidency for convening this meeting to discuss the issue of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and arrangements, and Ms. Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union, for her briefing. As we have indicated in previous statements in the Council, Chile believes that collective action is vital to enabling our multilateral system to deal effectively with threats, traditional or emerging. That is strengthened through the involvement of regional and subregional mechanisms, as outlined in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, as long as it is always subject to coordination by the United Nations. In that context, we believe it is essential to continue promoting increased cooperation at every stage with regional and subregional organizations in preventing crises and handling post-conflict challenges. The European Union has exceptional capacities for taking effective action on issues related to peace and security and contributing to implementation of the Council’s mandates. We would like to emphasize the promotion of the rule of law and the protection of human rights as an essential dimension in rehabilitating fractured societies, areas in which we share the European Union’s concerns. My country has an interest in supporting the peacekeeping and post-conflict processes, and it was on that basis that we participated in the European Union-led peacekeeping force’s Operation Althea, beginning in 2003. Based on that experience, we deepened our cooperation through a crisis-management framework agreement, designed to strengthen our capacity to develop peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, promote development of the civilian component in future operations and facilitate access to technical know-how and exchanges. Through its political and military operations, the European Union has fostered peace and post-conflict processes in various countries and regions. Its growing number of operations in the current decade is a sign of the increase in new conflicts requiring collective action and in which the European Union can once again continue to contribute to the work of the Security Council. Its involvement in helping to restore countries affected by crises has been significant, as we have seen in its support to Mali and Somalia, its military training missions in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, and its Common Security and Defence Policy missions, which are aimed at improving the capacity of the military and police forces in those countries. Another highlight is Operation Atalanta’s efforts against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. We also note with interest the European Union’s significant efforts to ensure rapid response and deployment capacities in the face of armed conflict. It is essential that the growing cooperation with regional organizations respect the principle of national ownership, which is highly important in reinforcing the legitimacy and effectiveness of the various regional organizations throughout the world. In conclusion, we refer to a topic of common interest to both Chile and the European Union, which is women and armed conflict. We share the concern for enhancing the protection of women in such situations, which must include women’s active participation in post-conflict peacebuilding and decision-making efforts. That is particularly relevant this year as we commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). It is our belief that regional and subregional organizations should be active players in the implementation of that resolution in their political and military missions in areas of conflict. Furthermore, they should implement the seven-point plan of action proposed by the Secretary-General in 2010.

I join my colleagues in welcoming Ms. Federica Mogherini and congratulating her on her assumption of the position of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU). I also thank the Secretary-General and the High Representative for their respective statements. Malaysia fully supports the call of the Secretary- General to further expand cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations so that they may work closely together in preventing, managing and resolving crisis under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. Regional organizations such as the EU have the resources, expertise and international standing to play multiple roles, including those of mediator, observer, donor and peacebuilder, in various conflict areas all over the world. As part of the Middle East Quartet, the EU plays a vital role in contributing to the Middle East peace process towards finding a sustainable solution to the decades- long Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We are encouraged by the commitment shown by Ms. Mogherini, as reflected in her visit to Gaza last November and her increasing engagement with the leaders of the Palestinian Authority. Malaysia welcomes the statement made by the High Representative last November, which stressed the need for a Palestinian State as the ultimate goal and position of the EU, based on a two-State solution with an independent, democratic, viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel and its other neighbours in peace and security. Malaysia lauds the continuing financial support by the EU in building institutions and infrastructure in the occupied Palestinian territories with the aim of creating a viable Palestinian State. We also welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine by Sweden last year, and we hope to see more EU members moving towards a similar direction in the near future. As a regional organization that prides itself on its core values of protection of human rights and the rule of law, we urge the EU to be at the forefront of ending impunity in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in view of the massive atrocities committed against the Palestinian civilians during the Gaza conflict last year, the continuing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, the continuing construction of the separation wall by Israel, contrary to the 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and, recently, the withholding of tax revenues by Israel in violation of its obligations under the Paris Protocol of the Oslo accords. We have heard repeated warnings from the United Nations, including from the Secretary-General, regarding the unsustainability of the situation in occupied Palestinian territories due to continuing Israeli occupation. We have also noted the widespread disillusionment with the Middle East Quartet, especially on the part of the region. We sincerely hope that the international community will heed the warnings and start to tackle the root causes of the conflict, rather than continue with its piecemeal response of addressing the symptoms of the crisis. In that regard, we look forward to the early resumption of negotiations on the Middle East peace process and we call on the EU, as a Quartet member, to intensify its efforts towards that end. Meanwhile, on Iran’s nuclear programme, Malaysia recognizes the pivotal role played by the EU in resolving the issue, within the context of the ongoing E3+3 negotiations with Iran. Following the landmark Joint Plan of Action of 24 November 2013, we are now witnessing the potential culmination of a truly historic agreement, which my delegation hopes will bring about a final and peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Malaysia encourages all parties to continue their efforts towards dialogue and understanding, with a view to bridging the gaps that remain. On Africa, we commend the role and contribution of the EU in the African region, from conflict prevention to conflict management and post-conflict transition and sustainable development. We also acknowledge the support of the EU in sharing its technical expertise to ensure the success of electoral processes in African countries, including in Burundi. With regard to the situation in Mali, Malaysia wishes to take this opportunity to extend our condolences to the families of victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Bamako and Kidal, on 7 and 8 March, that killed civilians and United Nations personnel, including a staff member of the EU delegation. We strongly condemn that atrocious act. We commend the significant role of the EU in supporting the Algiers process. As a co-mediator, the EU continues to play its constructive role in assisting the Malian parties with a view to achieving national reconciliation and a long-lasting, peaceful solution. We view that continued commitment of the EU, in close cooperation with the United Nations and the African Union, as essential at this particularly crucial juncture. On Libya, Malaysia notes the ongoing efforts of the EU in providing humanitarian assistance to asylum- seekers in the Mediterranean region. We also welcome the possibility of the EU’s playing a greater role in monitoring and preventing the illicit flow of arms and oil in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the security threats posed by terrorism in the region. The volatile security situation and dire humanitarian predicament in the Central African Republic require our sustained attention. The multifaceted involvement of the EU in the Central African Republic, including its military operation in the Central Africa Republic (EUFOR RCA) exemplifies the vital role that the international community can play alongside the United Nations in restoring peace and security to the Central African Republic. We commend EUFOR RCA for its important contribution to stabilizing the security situation in Bangui and note the end of its mandate on 15 March. We welcome the decision of the EU to deploy the EU military advisory mission to the Central African Republic, which we hope will continue the momentum in strengthening the security sector in the Central African Republic and building the foundations for long-lasting stability. Within Europe itself, the Ukrainian crisis is threatening the security and stability of the region. We applaud the initiative taken by key EU members, particularly France and Germany, in engaging with the conflicting parties to de-escalate the crisis. We welcome the resulting agreement on the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which was subsequently endorsed by the Council. We call on all parties to fully comply with the provisions of the agreement to facilitate a final political solution to the crisis and for the EU to play a constructive role towards that end. We also follow with great interest the EU’s recent launching of a review of European neighbourhood policy in order to build strong partnerships and to better tackle the challenges faced by the EU in its relations with its neighbours. In the western Balkans, we commend the stabilizing role played by the EU in the post-conflict countries in the region, such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. We welcome the breakthrough in normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the continuing commitment by Ms. Mogherini in facilitating the high- level talks between Pristina and Belgrade on 9 February 2015 in Brussels. We also fully support the continuing role played by the EU in further strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law and the process of reconciliation; in capacity-building; and in creating a functioning market economy in the western Balkans. By way of conclusion, Malaysia welcomes the reaffirmation by the High Representative of the EU that the EU will continue its close cooperation with the United Nations in upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. As a Council member, Malaysia reiterates its commitment to play a constructive role in further engaging with regional organizations, especially one as successful and established as the EU, in maintaining international peace and security.

New Zealand, too, welcomes High Representative Mogherini to the Council and thanks her for her briefing. New Zealand is a strong believer in cooperation between the United Nations and regional bodies within the framework of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. While we will always assert the primacy of the Council and the unique authority vested in it by the international community, it is clear that local knowledge and perspectives are essential to our shared goal of maintaining international peace and security. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cooperating with regional organizations. Each has potential to assist in the Council’s work, regardless of size or resources. The European Union (EU) provides a good example of how regional bodies can interact effectively with the United Nations, but other regional organizations have their own approach. As we know from our experience in the Pacific, the United Nations can support long- term stability only through genuine and respectful engagement with local actors. The EU’s role in ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in its own region is well known. With conflict prevention at the very core of its foundation and existence, and its proximity to and links with conflict-beset regions, it is well placed to play a role across the breadth of the Council’s agenda. It is not possible to canvass all the possibilities here today, but there are some of particular and recent importance. New Zealand strongly supports the achievement of a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran, and we acknowledge the E3+3’s constructive role in those complex negotiations. And, as New Zealand told the Council during the January open debate (see S/PV.7360), the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine is an ongoing and serious threat to international peace and security. We believe that the Council has a role to play in bringing the parties to the table, hopefully to negotiate a two-State solution. We acknowledge the EU’s considerable efforts towards that same goal. We also applaud the EU’s part in the international efforts to manage the humanitarian impact of the Syria crisis, both within Syria and in the wider region. In Africa, the EU has demonstrated the value it can add to the Council’s work through its long-term commitment in Mali and Somalia, to name but two countries. In the Central African Republic, which the Council will visit this week, an EU force has strongly supported the efforts made by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and France to stabilize the security situation. That force is about to be replaced by an EU military advisory mission, hopefully foreshadowing the Council’s continued engagement with the EU and other stakeholders, so that the people of the Central African Republic can finally see real peace dividends. Looking forward, New Zealand urges the EU to maintain its focus on conflict prevention, working with regional organizations, not least in Africa. Given its history, geography, size and experience, the EU has particular advantages and perspectives that it can bring to bear. It is in all of our interests that it should apply all that to building partnerships that prevent the emergence or re-emergence of conflict. In doing so, it will always have the support of New Zealand. That is because a firm belief in more active prevention of conflict under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter is one of the fundamental reasons why New Zealand sought membership in the Council, and we look forward to working with the European Union in pursuit of that goal.

I should like to welcome European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to the Security Council and to thank you, Mr. President, and the Secretary-General for your briefings today. As you rightly point out, Mr. President, we face pressing and unprecedented challenges that are as diverse as they are dangerous. Our approach to each of them underscores the depth and importance of our partnership with the European Union (EU), and I would like to discuss a few of these this morning. All of us, from countries near and far, have watched with horror as medieval barbarism has engulfed swathes of territory in Syria, Iraq and northern Nigeria. Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have demonstrated more than a zeal for cruelty; they have a professed disgust for modernity. Rational thought, diversity of faith and difference of any kind is used as justification for crimes so barbaric they shock our conscience. And yet, despite this unfolding horror, we see too many citizens of too many nations, including many of those represented around this table, travelling great distances to join this crusade of cruelty. If we are to advance the cause of international peace and security, if we are to protect the most basic freedoms of faith, expression and thought, if we are to prevail over terror, we must remain strong in our condemnation of, and united in our resolve to confront, those who facilitate, conspire or participate in the murderous work of ISIL and Boko Haram. And when their depraved ideology manifests itself further abroad, whether in the offices of a French paper that expressed itself through satire or in the slaughter of innocents shopping in a kosher market, we must remain resolute in our determination to defeat this new threat to our global society and our collective freedoms. As such, we welcome the European Union’s recent announcement of a €1 billion package to address the situation in Syria and Iraq and to advance the fight against ISIL. The EU’s release of a regional strategy in February is a valuable addition to the international community’s response to this crisis. While we speak often of countering violent extremism, and we all agreed in resolution 2178 (2014) that this is an essential element in responding to the foreign terrorist fighter threat, we know too little about what works and even lack a shared understanding of what it means. One Member State’s countering extremism can become another Member State’s definition of political repression. We should not gloss over the potential for manipulation, but neither should we shy away from tackling the problem of too many people, in too many countries, signing up with terrorist organizations that seek to threaten the very fabric of our civilized world. Countering violent extremism, therefore, must be an active process of engagement at the local level providing services to those who need them, resources to those without them, building resilience in communities targeted for recruitment, and highlighting paths to peace for those being drawn down the roads of terror. Doing any of this is a lot harder than talking about it, and that is why the White House convened a high-level summit focused on countering violent extremism in Washington last month, to help share best practices, develop new strategies and seize opportunities. We are encouraged by the level of support and pledges already announced by our partners, including the European Union, to follow up on the principles and goals agreed upon at the summit. That is a challenge that we must confront, and we must succeed. The fight against terrorism unites each member of the Council. We should be just as unified in our respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of fellow Member States. Over the past year, however, we have seen peace in Europe challenged in the most fundamental manner. Russia, a permanent member of the Council, has taken it upon itself to seize territory, sponsor instability and redraw the international borders of its neighbour Ukraine. We commend the actions the European Union has taken, including the imposition of sanctions, to exert pressure on Russia to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine. Those sanctions must remain in place until Russia fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements. We will continue to work with the EU and to use all available multilateral avenues to seek a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict, which has caused so much suffering to the Ukrainian people. The September Minsk agreements have been signed. The package of measures to implement the Minsk agreements has also been signed. Now it is time for those agreements to translate into changed behaviour. Both Russia and the separatists it supports are signatories to the Minsk implementation plan, and we expect Russia and the separatists it supports to honour the agreements they have signed. The European Union and the United Nations are key partners in the efforts to advance Middle East peace, including in their role as members of the Quartet. We remain committed to working with the parties and all of our partners to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Despite some biased accounts of the facts on the ground that we have heard today, we continue to believe that final-status negotiations are the only way for the parties to reach a peaceful resolution. Of course, in order to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, we must ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. Iran’s nuclear programme is rightfully a matter of deep and serious concern for the entire world. We believe that diplomacy is the preferred route to our shared aim to ensure that Iran does not ever obtain a nuclear weapon. That is why we continue our critical work with the EU in the P5+1 negotiations. That is why we must ensure that Iran cooperates seriously with the International Atomic Energy Agency. That is why we must stringently enforce the resolutions adopted by the Council. We must not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. When it comes to peacekeeping, all of us must do more. The Organization needs the support of advanced militaries now more than ever. We have seen the role EU civilian and military operations have played to battle piracy off the Horn of Africa, to train troops in Mali, to strengthen security in the Central African Republic, to build civilian capacity in the Niger. Twenty years ago, European countries were also leaders in United Nations peacekeeping; 25,000 troops from European militaries served in United Nations peacekeeping operations, more than 40 per cent of the Blue Helments at the time. Today, United Nations peacekeeping would benefit exponentially from a more diverse array of troop contributors and other forms of assistance. As Ambassador Power announced just hours ago in Brussels, that is why President Obama will be hosting a summit of world leaders in September in New York to help ensure that the United Nations and the world have the peacekeepers needed to address today’s crises. The values on which the European Union was founded are the same ones that give strength to the United Nations. They are the values that catalyse our collective action and animate our pursuit of peace and security. They are the values that recognize the strength and diversity of expressions, richness in diversity of perspectives, resilience in diversity of belief and faith in the enduring promise of equality and freedom for all. As we navigate the many challenges and threats we confront, we will continue to rely upon and take great pride in our and the Organization’s deep and enduring partnership with the European Union.

We welcome the participation of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at this meeting. We also wish to thank Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for her briefing. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela attaches special importance to the role of regional organizations in promoting international peace and security, including through the negotiated settlement of conflicts. We welcome the efforts of the European Union (EU) and other regional forums in that regard. We are convinced of the role that regional and subregional organizations can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in the peacebuilding process through the recovery, reconstruction and development of societies emerging from conflict situations. We believe that close cooperation should be maintained between the United Nations and regional organizations, including the European Union, taking into account Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. In the area of crisis management, we believe that the European Union and its members must act in accord with the principles of the Charter. We value the role played by the the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo under the auspices of the Organization. We welcome the prospects for a political solution in Ukraine, which have recently moved in a positive direction with the decision adopted by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany on 12 February in Minsk and endorsed by the Council in resolution 2202 (2015). We commend the ongoing work of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to support the effective implementation of the Minsk agreements, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons by those involved. We reiterate that the parties must strictly observe the Minsk agreement of 12 February on the protection of civilians and support a process to address the humanitarian situation. In the Middle East, the intensification of armed conflicts and the maintenance of colonial situations and foreign occupation have had a negative impact on international peace and security, the facts and the gravity of which we cannot remain indifferent. We are convinced that the European Union and the Security Council are called upon to play an important role in the promotion of a definitive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including putting an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories and the establishment of a free, sovereign and independent Palestinian State within the secure and internationally recognized pre-1967 borders. We reiterate our conviction that there can be no military solution to the current crisis in Libya. We urge that efforts be redoubled to facilitate dialogue, reduce tensions and refrain from taking any decision that may worsen those tensions. To that end, we welcome the resumption of negotiations in Morocco, facilitated by Mr. Bernardino León’s efforts, in order to reach a political solution that leads to the formation of a Government of national unity. In that regard, we must continue to encourage the parties to continue the inclusive dialogue to achieve a strong and lasting peace that leads to national reconciliation. We also appeal to external actors with influence on the parties to refrain from adopting measures contrary to peace, security and the development of Libya. We continue to nurture the hope that peace and political stability in Burundi will be consolidated and that all the necessary support will be given to the people and the Government of that country, so that the upcoming elections can be conducted successfully under the sovereign right of the people of Burundi to self-determination. We also call for strengthening international cooperation to assist that country, without any preconditions, with a view to eradicating poverty, which is one of the root causes of conflicts affecting the States of the region. Peace efforts promoted by the United Nations in the Central African Republic must be accompanied by the simultaneous and sustained efforts by the international community to provide cooperation and economic assistance aimed at reducing poverty and inequality in order to achieve a long and enduring peace. The support of the Organization to the upcoming elections serves to underscore the multidimensional nature of peacekeeping operations in the search for lasting peace. Finally, we hope that those channels of cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union will contribute to international peace and security.

My delegation would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his briefing and for his leadership in consolidating the relationship between the United Nations and regional organizations, which he has so well conceptualized in his statement this morning. We also want to express our appreciation to Ms. Federica Mogherini for her inaugural briefing to the Security Council in her capacity as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to her predecessor, Catherine Ashton, for her contributions to strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union (EU), and especially for her efforts to advance the achievement of peace and security around the world. Nigeria acknowledges the pivotal role of the EU as a key partner of the United Nations and various regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We believe that over time the EU has demonstrated a high level of commitment to the promotion of human rights, development cooperation and humanitarian assistance on a global level. In terms of the maintenance of peace and security, the European Union has made substantial contributions in various arenas across the world. In 2014, the European Union deployed a peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic to support African Union and French forces already on the ground. Nigeria pays tribute to the men and women who served in that mission, and commends them for the strident efforts made in the execution of their mandate, even in extremely challenging circumstances. The mission contributed significantly to the protection of civilians in and around Bangui. In the case of Mali, in April 2014, the EU established the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy Sahel Mali mission, with an initial mandate of two years. The mission is a key aspect of the EU’s support to Mali. It involves the training of the country’s security forces and helping the State to restore and maintain its authority across the entire Malian territory. The European Union Capacity Building Mission complements the EU training mission, which is involved in the reorganization of the Malian military. Nigeria commends the EU for its assistance to Mali and recognizes its significant role in enhancing the capacity of the Malian military and security forces in meeting the enormous security challenges of that country. In today’s world, we all agree that terrorism constitutes one of the greatest threats to international peace and security. The Sahel is one of the regions where terrorism is assuming alarming dimensions. Through its Sahel strategy, the EU is working with the States in the region to promote good governance and social cohesion and to strengthen political stability and security. The strategy involves enabling sustainable development, creating prosperity and combating violent extremism in the Sahel so that the region will cease to be a safe haven for terrorist groups. Nigeria commends the EU for the resources it is commiting to fighting terrorism in the Sahel, which demonstrates a clear recognition that terrorism in any region of the world is a threat to all regions, and that fighting terrorism is indeed the collective responsibility of all nation States. In the European arena, the European Union was a major contributor to the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999), which authorizes international organizations to establish a security presence in Kosovo. Today, the EU plays a key role in promoting the rule of law in Kosovo through the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosova (EULEX), established in 2008. EULEX has also supported the dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Some of the Mission’s notable achievements in that regard include the implementation of the freedom of movement agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. That agreement allows residents of Kosovo to travel freely in Serbia with identity cards and vehicle licence plates issued in Kosovo. We see that as creating an avenue for person-to-person contact between Serbs and Kosovars, which could lead to better understanding between them. EULEX also facilitated the integration of Kosovo Serb police officers into the northern command of the Kosovo police. The inextricable link between security and development makes it essential for greater attention to be paid to the development needs of States. In many developing countries, resource constraints are major impediments to development. That is when and where donor support becomes very vital. In terms of development cooperation, the EU provides more than half of global development assistance, making it the largest donor in the world. The European Development Fund, through which the EU disburses development assistance to the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, has been used to support receiving countries in a broad range of sectors, including agriculture, the environment, infrastructure, education and health. The Fund also supports the promotion of the rule of law, good governance and democracy. The eleventh European Development Fund, which covers the period 2014-2020, involves a total of €31.5 billion. That represents a substantial increase over the €22.6 billion provided under the tenth Fund, which covered the period 2008-2013. Nigeria appreciates the EU’s unwavering commitment to the promotion of international development. Through that, the EU has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. We would like to reiterate our strong support for the engagement between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in consonance with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. The European Union model is an exemplary one that demonstrates how cooperation among States can work for the maintenance of international peace and security. That model of engagement is even more urgent in our world today, as unprecedented threats and challenges have not only transcended national boundaries, but moved beyond the capacity of any single State to tackle. All the inputs around the table this morning point to that one single phenomenon: no one State can handle the level of threat in the world today. This is a call for collective action.

I wish to thank France, Mr. President, for taking the initiative to hold this meeting on the cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union. We have listened carefully to the briefings by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Ms. Federica Mogherini. In recent years, in cooperation with the United Nations and the Security Council, the European Union (EU) has played an active role in efforts to address regional hotspot issues such as the nuclear question in Iran, and conflicts in the Middle East, Mali, the Central African Republic and Burundi, which China welcomes. We encourage and support the EU to continue to play a constructive role in maintaining regional and international peace and security. We hope that, in carrying out cooperation with the United Nations and the Security Council, the EU will above all uphold the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as the sovereign equality of States and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and commit itself to addressing hotspot issues through mediation and good offices. Secondly, it must respect the sovereignty and specific conditions of countries when it comes to human rights, engage in dialogue and exchanges on the basis of mutual respect and equality and play a constructive role. Thirdly, we hope it would leverage its resource advantage to provide economic and social assistance according to the needs of the countries concerned and on the basis of respect for national ownership, so as to enhance their self-development capacity in order to address the root causes of conflicts.
This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and of the world’s victory in the war against fascism. In February, at China’s initiative, the Council held an open debate on maintaining international peace and security (see S/PV.7389). We hope that that debate may prompt Member States to learn the lessons of history and recommit themselves to the purposes and principles of the Charter of United Nations and, looking forward, to explore effective ways of maintaining international peace and security in changing circumstances and dedicate efforts to building a new type of international relations, with win-win cooperation at the centre. In the face of the current proliferation of global and regional challenges, the security interests of all countries are closely linked. The United Nations is at the core of the international collective mechanism, and the European Union is an important force for maintaining international peace and stability. Further strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations such as the European Union is conducive to advancing multilateralism and consolidating and strengthening the international collective security mechanism. Just as pointed out by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his statement at the College of Europe, in Bruges, Belgium, on 1 April 2014, whatever the vicissitudes of the international situation, China always supports the process of European integration and a united, stable and prosperous European Union playing a greater role in international affairs. China will continue to support the EU in further strengthening cooperation with the United Nations in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting economic development so as effectively to complement the work of the United Nations. China attaches great importance to its relations with the EU. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a successful visit to the headquarters of the EU last year, where he agreed with the leaders of the European Union to establish partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization, and set down important plans for the development of China-EU relations. This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and the European Union. China stands ready to continue to strengthen efforts to implement the common understanding reached by the leaders of both sides, to promote the strategic framework for China-EU cooperation towards 2020, strengthen communication and coordination on major issues, promote the sustainable, healthy and stable development of the strategic partnership, and work togethe to make new contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity.

I would like to thank the French delegation for having organized this meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security, with a focus on the European Union. I would like to convey my gratitude to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for their briefings. The Charter of United Nations confers upon the Security Council the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. In Chapter VIII, the Charter provides for partnerships with regional and subregional organizations with a view to maintaining international peace and security. In that regard, Chad welcomes the progress made through partnerships between the United Nations and regional organizations, particularly the European Union. We believe that the United Nations and the European Union are complementary and that the cooperation between them is exemplary. We have taken note of the various activities carried out by the European Union around the world, some of which are referred to in presidential statement S/PRST/2014/4, of 14 February. Given the multiple crises currently facing the world, particularly in Africa, we urge the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union to strengthen their triangular cooperation. In Africa, we must tackle together the new wave of challenges represented by terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organized crime, especially in West and Central Africa, the Sahel and the Maghreb. We encourage the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union to consider ways to strengthen their partnerships for the prevention, settlement and management of conflicts and for peacekeeping. We reiterate our call to continue to pursue together the aim of an Africa free of armed conflict by 2020, in keeping with the solemn declaration adopted on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of founding of the precursor to the African Union. We welcome the contributions of the African Union and its regional economic communities, which initiated the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, in the Sudan, the African Union Mission in Somalia, the African-led International Support Mission in Mali and the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA). We welcome the important role played by the European Union, particularly its African Peace Facility, to support African Union operations. In the Central African Republic, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which took over from MISCA, has achieved some improvement, despite the continuing presence of armed groups. We are nonetheless concerned by continuing acts of violence taking place in Bangui and other provinces, including murders, arbitrary detention, obstacles to the provision of humanitarian aid, drug-trafficking, arms trafficking, the illicit exploitation of the country’s natural resources, attacks targeting international forces and the kidnapping of humanitarian workers and even members of the Government. We welcome the role played by the forces of Operation Sangaris and the European Union Force, as well as their contributions to maintaining order in Bangui and some other provinces, including the training of the first police and gendarmerie units. The drawdown of those forces, planned for March 2015, is nonetheless cause for concern, as it risks compromising MINUSCA’s aim of deploying troops and police beyond Bangui to ensure the smooth holding of the elections. Moreover, we condemn the situation of the civilian population, which has seen scant improvement, as well as that of displaced persons, who remain in distress due to the prevention of the delivery of food aid. We call for the necessary steps to be taken to ensure that displaced persons and refugees are able to participate in the upcoming electoral process. In Mali, the will of the parties, the support of the international community and the determination of the mediation team allowed the parties to reach an agreement in Algiers on 1 March, following eight months of work. We commend Algeria and the entire mediation team for their efforts. We believe that the agreement needs to be signed by all of the parties concerned, as it represents a decisive step towards a solution to emerge from the crisis. Moreover, Chad firmly condemns the terrorist attacks committed last weekend, including in Bamako, and the attacks against the Kidal headquarters of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of the countries affected. We believe that those acts of violence were aimed at undermining the ultimate signing of the agreement, whose implementation could make possible the return of peace and stability. The international community must send a firm, clear message to warn those who obstruct peace. Chad acknowledges the active contribution of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali throughout the process of the Algiers talks and calls on it to be ever more vigilant in dealing with other possible terrorist attacks against its facilities and personnel. We ask all countries and organizations that have influence over the Malian parties and that have not yet done so to persuade them to join the 1 March agreement as soon as possible so as to enable it to be signed on 28 March as expected. In conclusion, we express our gratitude to the European Union for its contributions to the maintenance of peace and security around the world, in particular in Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic. We call on the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union to further strengthen their trilateral cooperation to respond to all the challenges facing Africa. In that respect, the situation in Libya  — and the Sahel in general  — the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram, illegal trafficking and transnational organized crime should command the full attention of the international community. To better face those challenges, particular emphasis must be placed on the relationship between development and security. In that respect, the effective implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel will, in our humble opinion, contribute to improving, at the very least, the security situation.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of France. I warmly welcome Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union and Vice-President of the European Commission. It is always a pleasure to welcome to the Chamber a representative of that major player in security and international stability, the European Union. I welcome her presence here for the first time, as mentioned, since her appointment. The European Union is a key partner of the Security Council in dealing with most of the crises it has before it. Ms. Mogherini has gone into detail on that, and I will not go over it again. In our view, the European Union’s work is complementary to that of the Council. The European Union has been able, to act decisively in recent years, in particular in Africa. Last year in the Council, we welcomed the European Union’s work in training the Malian security forces, which complemented the work of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. We then entrusted the Europeans to do the same in Central African Republic. That was done through the deployment of the EU-led force in the Central African Republic (EUFOR-RCA), beginning on 1 April 2014, which has made significant contributions to the efforts to provide security and protection to civilians in Bangui, again in support of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic, then the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. This week, as the EUFOR-RCA mission comes to an end, I want to commend the work of the mission and highlight the continued commitment of the European Union to Central African Republic, since an assistance mission to reform the Central African armed forces will immediately take over. The work in the Central African Republic shows that the European Union knows how to engage effectively and quickly, and we thank the European External Action Service for its work in mobilizing European partners. In addition to its deployment on the ground, the European Union is also a valuable partner of the United Nations in finding sustainable solutions to the major crises that concern us. The fight against Boko Haram will therefore be a priority in the coming months. On the Iranian nuclear issue, we thank the High Representative for her exemplary engagement with the E3+3. The European Union plays a crucial role in the talks with Iran aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the crisis. Much remains to be done, but we are fully committed to reaching a solution. That is now also the case with the crisis in Ukraine, which has entered into a new phase with the signing, on 12 February, of the package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Again, the European Union is taking part in the efforts to find a solution to that crisis, with support from the Council through resolution 2202 (2015). Let us recall that the European Union has resorted to sanctions, on that issue as on many others, not to punish but to encourage the stakeholders to engage in dialogue. The link between sanctions and the implementation of the entire Minsk package was recalled last week by European leaders. The EU is indeed mustering its efforts at the diplomatic, financial and humanitarian levels for a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. In the Middle East, the EU will continue to play its role within the framework of the Quartet and beyond, as a major player seeking to preserve the two-State solution in the face of ongoing colonization, and to contribute to finally achieving a peace agreement. That is also the case in Libya, which is the most serious crisis in the region to the south of the EU. The European Union actively supports the efforts of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bernardino León. I know that Ms. Mogherini is personally involved in that. The resumption of the Libyan political dialogue should help achieve a comprehensive solution, and the European Union should play a key role in supporting that process. Finally, the European Union, which is a undertaking without precedent, is working to promote a new order in its immediate neighbourhood and beyond by establishing the rule of law, democracy and human rights as elements for peace and security. Built on the ideal of bringing peoples together to transcend nationalism, the European Union has created a unique model that has significant appeal. That model continues to work in support of peace and security, particularly in the Balkans, which were long battered by war after the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia. Today more than ever, the European Union is working for rapprochement between Serbia and Kosovo, by promoting their bilateral dialogue and offering them a fair place in a peaceful regional environment that is focused on its collective development. After the electoral pause in those countries, we look forward to the resumption of their dialogue at the highest level on 9 February with the help of the High Representative. We earnestly hope for the continuation of those efforts. The process of normalization is also under way for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the European Union is supporting on its road to stabilization, in particular through European Union Force Operation Althea. Under the leadership of Ms. Mogherini, the European rapprochement of Bosnia and Herzegovina has gained new momentum. It is crucial that the country resume its journey on the path of reform, with a view to also joining the European Union at the appropriate time. Wherever the European Union is working, it contributes to the ideals of peace, freedom and human progress that the United Nations embody. It is thus an indispensable partner for the United Nations. That special role was reflected four years ago in the adoption of General Assembly resolution 65/276, through which the Assembly recognizes the European Union’s place as a partner and friend of the United Nations. I would also like to emphasize today, while expressing my best wishes for success to Ms. Mogherini in her work, that the European Union is more than a regional organization. It is an integration project without precedent in history and one of the pillars of a coherent and effective international system. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to Ms. Mogherini.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to have participated in this debate, which was very important for me personally and for the European Union. I assure you that I am ready, both personally and on behalf of the European Union, to work to maintain our friendship and partnership with the United Nations, and the Security Council in particular, in the months and years to come. As you said, the European Union is not only a regional organization, it is also the most significant regional integration process in the world.

I warmly thank Ms. Mogherini.