冲突增多 欧盟代表告诉安理会必须投资振兴多边体系

随着世界各地的冲突和问题日益增多，欧盟高级代表告诉安理会世界必须投资振兴多边体系

联合国，会议报道和新闻稿 2023 年 2 月 23 日

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15210.doc.htm

欧盟外交事务负责人今天对安理会警告说，“多边主义存在缺陷”，随着寻找解决方案的集体能力下降，世界各地的冲突和问题正在加剧。

欧盟外交与安全政策高级代表何塞普·博雷尔·丰泰莱斯表示，他担心强权政治的兴起会导致更多的不信任、更多的得分和更多的否决权。 世界付出的代价是更多未解决的问题、日益恶化的冲突以及人们任由事件摆布。

他说：“这是我们承担不起的。”他补充说，秘书长的提案《我们的共同议程》有潜力在未来峰会上实现世界所需的改革。 “但前提是我们所有人都投资振兴多边体系”，他说。 “这不会自动发生，坐在你的位置上，期待别人来做这项工作。 如果各国坚持狭隘的民族主义议程，这种情况也不会发生。”

在一次讨论欧盟与联合国合作的定期会议上，博雷尔先生向代表们保证，欧盟将作为联合国的坚定支持者尽自己的一份力量，在政治和财政上对本组织进行投资。 欧盟及其成员国是联合国预算的最大集体捐助国，始终支持本组织的三大支柱：和平与安全； 可持续发展; 和人权。 他列举了欧盟对世界各地的支持，从帮助非洲国家打击恐怖主义到援助叙利亚和土耳其遭受毁灭性地震的人们，再到支持西巴尔干地区的和平。 他说，在俄罗斯联邦从乌克兰撤出所有部队和军事装备之前，欧盟将向乌克兰提供保护其人民所需的一切支持。

许多代表表示支持欧盟的稳步工作以及多边主义在日益相互关联和陷入困境的世界中发挥的重要作用。

阿尔巴尼亚欧洲和外交部长奥尔塔·扎奇卡表示，联合国和欧盟之间的合作对于国际和平与安全以及全球社会和经济发展不可或缺。 面对欧洲和全球挑战，需要加强合作以实现共同议程并支持多边主义。 欧盟对俄罗斯联邦入侵乌克兰的反应表明了什么是团结。 阿尔巴尼亚加入了欧盟，实施了一系列旨在降低俄罗斯联邦资助战争和帮助乌克兰经济和功能的能力的政策。

日本代表强调区域组织在使安理会履行其维护和平与安全的首要责任方面发挥着不可或缺的作用。 她表示，欧盟在全球范围内的当前问题上一贯表现出领导力，例如其“全球门户”倡议。 她说，欧盟和日本已在亚丁湾进行了超过25次联合反海盗演习。

阿拉伯联合酋长国代表指出，必须集体应对相互挑战，并将欧洲联盟描述为一个关键的地缘政治行为者，在安理会议程上的众多问题中发挥着建设性作用——从哥伦比亚的联合全面行动计划到 中东和平进程。 她说，随着乌克兰战争愈演愈烈，国际社会必须加倍努力，公正结束这场战争，并警告不要忽视其他危机。

加纳代表对此表示赞同，他表示，由于乌克兰战争成为国际事务的中心舞台，因此至关重要的是不要忽视可能使非洲大陆局势恶化的其他局势。 他提请注意亚美尼亚和阿塞拜疆之间重新爆发的战争以及波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那的局势。 在谈到非洲的安全形势时，他强调了欧盟对非洲联盟驻索马里过渡特派团（ATMIS）的持续支持。

中方代表敦促欧盟支持联合国，带头践行以《联合国宪章》和联合国原则为核心的真正多边主义。 不干涉别国内政，尊重各国社会制度和发展道路，与各方合作。 欧盟应努力实现稳定的国际安全环境的目标。 他希望东盟能够朝着实现可持续发展的方向努力

发展中国家的目标面临许多挑战。

在今天的会议上发言的还有马耳他、英国、瑞士、日本、俄罗斯联邦、莫桑比克、加蓬、美国、厄瓜多尔、巴西和法国。

会议于上午10点13分开始，中午12点20分结束。

简报

欧盟外交与安全政策高级代表何塞普·博雷尔·丰特尔斯表示，他在三场通报会上均对“多边主义的缺陷”发出警告。 他描述了强权政治的兴起如何导致更多的不信任、更多的得分和更多的否决——包括在安理会。 付出的代价是问题未得到解决、冲突加剧以及人们任由事件摆布。 “我担心今年的情况会更糟。 联合国和多边体系正面临前所未有的威胁。”他指出，秘书长最近表示，国际社会必须采取果断行动，避免崩溃。

冲突和问题不断增多，但寻找解决方案的集体能力却在下降。 他说：“这是我们承担不起的。”他补充说，秘书长的提案《我们的共同议程》有潜力在未来峰会上实现世界所需的改革。 “但前提是我们所有人都投资振兴多边体系”，他说。 “这不会自动发生，坐在你的位置上，期待别人来做这项工作。 如果各国坚持狭隘的民族主义议程，这种情况也不会发生。”

他表示，欧盟将作为强有力的支持者尽自己的一份力量，在政治和财政上对联合国进行投资。 欧盟及其成员国是联合国预算的最大集体捐助国，欧盟始终支持本组织的三大支柱：和平与安全； 可持续发展; 和人权。 每个国家的成功都依赖于另外两个国家，国际社会必须应对新旧安全威胁，并应对许多国家不断恶化的人权状况。 他指出，2023 年是《世界人权宣言》通过七十五周年，这是一个提醒人们人权是普遍的、不可分割的、适用于世界各地的每个人的好时机。 他敦促国际社会重申对可持续发展议程的承诺，并表示即将召开的可持续发展目标峰会是加快落实2030年议程的关键时刻。

关于具体的国际挑战，他首先谈到俄罗斯联邦对乌克兰的非法战争一周年，这仍然是一个明显的侵略和违反《联合国宪章》的案例。 在一个安理会常任理事国非法使用武力将以某种方式“正常化”的世界里，没有人是安全的。 这就是为什么国际法必须在各地得到执行，以保护每个人免受强权政治、勒索和军事攻击。

需要根据《宪章》实现公正、全面和持久的和平。 在俄罗斯联邦从乌克兰撤出所有部队和军事装备之前，欧盟将向乌克兰提供保卫其人民所需的一切支持。 与此同时，它将继续帮助世界其他国家应对俄罗斯侵略的后果。 他主张在三月中旬再次启动黑海粮食倡议时更新该倡议。

谈到气候变化，他表示，这是对多边主义的考验，也是一个安全问题。 气候危机是一个教科书般的例子，说明需要采取有效的多边行动，但目前却没有采取行动。 由于气候与安全关系在全球议程中占据主导地位，安理会必须承担起自己的责任。

关于欧盟与联合国在和平与安全方面的合作，他说，所有欧洲危机管理行动都与联合国作为合作伙伴。 这种维持和平和危机管理方面的战略伙伴关系可以追溯到二十年前。 他说，帮助非洲国家打击恐怖主义是欧盟的另一个重要优先事项，目前有几个欧洲使团向这些国家提供军事和民事支持，最新的例子是欧盟驻莫桑比克培训团。

欧洲联盟致力于继续支持非洲主导的和平支持行动，并支持正在进行的关于将联合国分摊会费用于安理会授权行动的讨论。 非洲联盟、欧盟等区域组织在预防和应对危机方面发挥着关键作用。 他强调，欧盟将继续全面参与世界各地的所有金融和政治危机。 他提到了叙利亚和土耳其发生的毁灭性地震以及阿富汗、萨赫勒地区和西巴尔干地区的局势

堪萨斯州。

他感谢安理会有机会解释乌克兰以外的许多危机，并表示欧盟仍然致力于帮助世界各地的人民，并正在尽最大努力改善世界各地的和平与安全。

声明

马耳他外交部长兼理事会二月份主席伊恩·博格以本国身份发言，强调欧盟与联合国的战略关系必须继续加强对国际法的尊重，包括人权、法治 以及和平解决争端。 为此，他欢迎秘书长的全面愿景，其中概述了更新多边方法的必要步骤。 他批评欧盟无力团结起来应对包括气候在内的全球挑战，并强调“今天的单方面失败将在未来几年对许多国家造成集体影响”。 他说，区域合作对于当今相互联系的世界的正常运作不可或缺，并提请人们注意联合国和欧盟在危机管理、调解与和平行动方面现有的全面方法，包括在不同地区的支持。 在这方面，他欢迎欧盟对索马里非洲过渡特派团（ATMIS）的贡献。

阿尔巴尼亚欧洲和外交部长奥尔塔·扎奇卡表示，博雷利先生出席会议表明，联合国与欧盟的合作对于国际和平与安全以及全球社会经济发展不可或缺。 面对欧洲和全球挑战，需要加强合作以实现共同议程并加强多边主义。 这两个组织在人道主义需求、气候变化和尊重国际法等广泛问题上发挥着至关重要的作用。 俄罗斯联邦对乌克兰的无端军事侵略规模是二战以来从未有过的。 欧盟的回应表明了什么是团结，乌克兰加入了欧盟的一系列政策，旨在降低俄罗斯联邦资助战争的能力，帮助乌克兰的经济和功能并支持问责制。 全面、公正的和平不能建立在有罪不罚的基础上，肇事者应被追究责任。 欧盟的安全架构需要加强，欧盟在西巴尔干地区的扩张需要加快，因为这将产生一个更安全的大陆。 欧盟和联合国应加强区域合作，以超越对话的方式解决该地区的冲突。 阿尔巴尼亚尚未成为欧盟成员国，但为候选国并正在进行谈判。 阿尔巴尼亚希望加入欧盟，因为它属于那里并分享其价值观。 联盟是人类历史上最辉煌的工程。 事实证明，它可以有效地预防冲突。

KWAKU AMPRATWUM-SARPONG（加纳）以欧洲和全球安全局势迅速恶化为由，强调俄罗斯联邦对乌克兰的侵略已经避免了新的危机。 数百万乌克兰人因战争而寻求庇护，除了给邻国带来人道主义负担外，能源危机还威胁到欧洲的政治稳定。 在此背景下，他鼓励联合国和欧盟加强合作，以立即停止敌对行动。 他说，由于乌克兰战争成为国际事务的中心舞台，因此至关重要的是不要忽视可能进一步掠夺该大陆条件的其他局势，并提请人们关注亚美尼亚和阿塞拜疆之间的新战争或波斯尼亚和波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那的局势。 黑塞哥维那。 在谈到非洲大陆的安全形势时，他强调了欧盟对非洲联盟驻索马里过渡特派团（ATMIS）的持续支持以及索马里过渡计划的有效实施。 此外，他承认欧盟对冲突地区，特别是阿富汗、缅甸、叙利亚和也门的人道主义需求的贡献。 他还欢迎欧盟向受二月初叙利亚和土耳其部分地区地震影响的社区提供援助。

LANA ZAKI NUSSEIBEH（阿拉伯联合酋长国）回顾说，25年前，数百名阿联酋军队被部署到科索沃支持稳定努力。 她说，这一举措补充了联合国和欧盟在确保巴尔干地区冲突后恢复方面的作用，并指出必须共同应对共同挑战。 她将欧盟描述为关键的地缘政治参与者，在安理会的众多问题上发挥着建设性作用。

议程——从哥伦比亚联合全面行动计划到中东和平进程。 她说，随着乌克兰战争愈演愈烈，国际社会必须加倍努力，公正结束这场战争，并警告不要忽视其他危机。 谈到安全问题，她表示，集体稳定面临的新风险——例如粮食不安全、技术驱动的极端主义煽动和核武力威胁——需要国际合作。 在从叙利亚到萨赫勒地区的前所未有的流离失所的时刻，她呼吁改变管理逃离不稳定局势的人流的模式。 促进原籍国的可持续和平和经济机会应成为解决这一问题的关键要素。 她还强调，需要确保从阿富汗到也门的平民“根据需要而不是政治”获得救生援助。 在这方面，她强调，欧盟是联合国最大的捐助者之一，为前线人道主义努力提供重要的财政和政治支持。

芭芭拉·伍德沃德（英国）表示，俄罗斯联邦对乌克兰的全面入侵导致欧洲战火重燃。 连锁反应使得解决最紧迫的全球挑战变得更加困难，加剧了粮食不安全，并延长了 COVID-19 大流行造成的损害。 英国与欧盟合作建立了能源转型伙伴关系，帮助依赖煤炭的新兴经济体实现公正的能源转型。 她还欢迎联盟对联合国教育不能等待基金的支持。 此外，她还强调了该集团与联合国和平行动以及马里和索马里建设和平的合作。 她预测，欧盟驻尼日尔伙伴关系代表团将在支持萨赫勒地区的稳定方面发挥至关重要的作用。 谈到乌克兰，她指出，欧盟提供了重要的人道主义援助，并通过支持黑海粮食倡议帮助解决全球粮食不安全问题。

帕斯卡莱·克里斯蒂娜·拜里斯维尔（瑞士）赞扬欧盟和联合国为促进世界和平和防止武装冲突所做的共同努力，并重点介绍了非洲联盟三方项目等倡议。 在谈到保护平民和尊重国际人道法时，她强调了保护武装冲突中的儿童以及伤病员等失去战斗力的人员的重要性，无论是在乌克兰、叙利亚还是其他地方。 她支持为所有受害者伸张正义，重申了该国打击有罪不罚现象的承诺，并强调没有问责就不可能有持久和平。 她指出必须在更广泛的意义上解决安全风险，并将粮食不安全和冲突描述为影响世界许多地区的“恶性循环”，例如也门、阿富汗和非洲之角。 她指出，这包括应对气候变化，气候变化会加剧粮食不安全，从而对国际和平与安全产生影响。

筱光子（日本）强调区域组织在使安理会履行其维护和平与安全的首要责任方面发挥着不可或缺的作用。 她强调，欧盟在全球范围内的当前问题上始终表现出领导力，并强调了欧盟全球门户倡议在应对世界最紧迫挑战方面的重要性。 日方愿与欧盟共同推动国际互联互通以及绿色和数字合作。 此外，她说，欧盟和日本在亚丁湾进行了超过25次联合反海盗演习。

戴兵表示，我支持联合国与欧盟共同维护《宪章》原则，维护全球和平与安全。 他期待欧盟支持联合国，践行真正的多边主义，帮助化解冲突。 应带头践行以《宪章》和联合国原则为核心的真正多边主义。 不干涉别国内政，尊重各国社会制度和发展道路，与各方合作。 欧盟应努力实现稳定的国际安全环境的目标。 任何国家都无法独自应对或置身于各国的安全关切之中。 鉴于发展中国家面临诸多挑战，他希望欧盟朝着实现可持续发展目标的方向努力。 希望欧盟发挥资源优势，有针对性地向发展中国家提供符合自身需求的资金和技术支持。 乌克兰危机给欧洲带来了巨大挑战。 它必须平衡可持续安全

欧洲的建筑。 他呼吁俄罗斯联邦和乌克兰停止战斗并开始和平谈判。 欧盟、美国和北大西洋公约组织（北约）应与俄罗斯联邦接触，以实现非洲大陆的共同安全。

瓦西里·内本齐亚（俄罗斯联邦）表示，由于布鲁塞尔的努力，俄罗斯与欧盟之间的关系“跌入谷底”。 当历史学家在专门讨论欧盟的章节中描述2022-2023年时，最常用的词语可能是：“堕落、无助、短视和恐俄症”。 他说，尽管欧洲立法明确禁止，欧盟仍向冲突地区运送武器，并补充说，大部分运送费用是由欧洲和平基金支付的。 他指出，欧洲各国首都和机构举办的活动致力于讨论如何最好地摧毁俄罗斯联邦，并采取措施取消其文化、艺术和体育成就。 他强调了在这场恐俄动乱结束之前关闭大门的愿望，并表示俄罗斯联邦已被标记为欧洲安全的唯一威胁，并且只允许讨论针对俄罗斯的集体安全问题。 他回忆说，西方签署了一项相互安全保证协议，但遭到傲慢拒绝。 自2009年以来，欧盟对于与莫斯科断绝关系的必要性采取了完全不同的逻辑，将共同的邻国置于“俄罗斯还是欧盟”的选择之前。 2014年的政变引发了乌克兰的严重危机，国际社会现在正在见证这场危机的最后阶段。 “所有这些关于睦邻、伙伴关系和共同空间的故事都只是与俄罗斯对抗的烟幕弹，”他断言。 “当今世界正处于自杀性冲突的边缘”，欧盟与西方其他国家一道，正在增加向基辅“政权”运送武器，加剧其共谋。 欧盟正在失去自己的法律地位，并成为另一个其真实目标和意图众所周知的军事集团的毫无骨气的附属品。 2月10日，签署了《欧盟-北约合作联合声明》，重申欧盟完全服从军事联盟制定的目标，包括其统治全球的地缘政治野心。 他声称，华盛顿特区支持布鲁塞尔，并指出，欧盟必须为每一美元投资付出独立和主权的代价。

PEDRO COMISSÁRIO AFONSO（莫桑比克）表示，自 2004 年以来，欧盟一直通过与非洲联盟委员会合作管理的非洲和平基金，成为非洲联盟预防冲突努力的贡献伙伴。 2007年至2019年间，欧盟已拨款27亿欧元支持非洲联盟的和平与安全活动。 自 2021 年以来，欧洲和平基金一直使欧盟能够直接向南部非洲发展共同体 (SADC) 等区域经济共同体提供援助，以开展区域和平与安全支持行动。 他指出，欧盟和非洲联盟之间的伙伴关系必须建立在解决冲突根源、包括促进可持续发展的共同利益之上，并强调“非洲问题首先需要非洲解决”。 他欢迎欧盟对非洲联盟实施2063年议程、非洲和平与安全架构、非洲治理架构和“平息枪声”计划的支持，该计划现已延长至2030年。谈到反恐问题，他赞扬了欧盟的支持 响应南共体为落实南共体区域反恐中心而采取的举措，该中心于 2022 年 2 月在坦桑尼亚联合共和国成立。

米歇尔·泽维尔·比昂（加蓬）表示，联合国和欧盟有着持续发展的积极关系。 这是一个基准伙伴关系，帮助联合国应对从打击恐怖主义到促进人权和人道主义援助等许多挑战。 欧盟正在努力应对气候变化。 欧盟的承诺对于通过重申联合国发挥的关键作用来支持多边主义非常重要。 欧洲联盟还通过资助非洲许多地区的预防冲突任务和建设和平任务来帮助确保和平与安全。 此外，它还对西巴尔干地区和乌克兰有所帮助。 气候变化正在加剧许多全球危机，联合国和欧盟之间的合作对于解决这一问题非常重要。 危机的区域性日益增强也意味着应该加强合作

区域组织中。 这对于打击非洲大陆的极端恐怖组织是必要的。 例如，欧盟和非洲联盟就几内亚湾的海盗事件开展了合作。 他支持联合国、非洲联盟和欧盟之间加强三边合作，以解决恐怖主义等跨领域问题。 他补充说，妇女和儿童应参与制定应对和平挑战的解决方案。

琳达·托马斯-格林菲尔德（美国）感谢欧盟通过与联合国的合作为全球国际和平与安全做出的宝贵贡献。 美国和欧盟在共同价值观的基础上建立了牢固的伙伴关系，并坚定地致力于《联合国宪章》的原则。 这些原则因俄罗斯联邦入侵乌克兰而受到考验，这是数十年来欧洲安全面临的最大威胁。 俄罗斯联邦认为入侵会分裂国际社会。 但国际社会仍将支持乌克兰。 一个完整、自由的欧洲的梦想绝不能只是一个愿望和空话，而是所有人都可以享受的。 美国和欧盟正在与联合国机构合作，减轻战争造成的人道主义影响。 这场战争加剧了世界各地的粮食危机。 2022年9月，召开全球粮食安全峰会，100多个会员国共同应对世界粮食危机。 这一承诺必须得到财政援助的支持。 她说，美国和欧盟是世界粮食机构最大的捐助国之一。 她指出了欧盟与联合国的合作与伙伴关系如何帮助维护世界各地的和平与安全，包括海地、波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那、阿富汗和非洲。 她欢迎其与非洲联盟和联合国合作促进非洲稳定的努力。 欧洲联盟是联合国和理事会的重要伙伴，这种伙伴关系必须得到加强。

埃尔南·佩雷斯·洛斯（厄瓜多尔）表示，他认可欧盟对多边主义的贡献，并承认其成员国对建立基于国际法的国际秩序的承诺。 欧盟正在努力在最需要的地方促进和平与安全。 厄瓜多尔和欧盟认识到许多挑战的紧迫性，例如保护妇女和儿童、预防武装冲突以及应对网络空间风险和生物多样性丧失等新威胁。 他说，厄瓜多尔与欧盟一样谴责对乌克兰的军事侵略，并指出大会今天上午正在审议关于乌克兰的决议草案。 他赞扬欧盟在西巴尔干等其他地区的努力以及欧盟领导的维和部队在该地区帮助维护和平。 他提到了欧盟对 ATMIS 的支持以及欧盟在萨赫勒地区的工作。 他支持欧盟在无核武器世界中发挥更大作用。 他相信欧盟与拉丁美洲之间将在许多领域继续合作，例如打击洗钱和贩毒。 他鼓励欧盟在海地转型过程中向海地提供更多支持，以确保地区和世界的安全，并承认欧盟在哥伦比亚和平进程中的作用。 欧盟是联合国的战略伙伴，希望双方伙伴关系不断发展。

路易斯·吉尔赫姆·帕尔加·辛特拉（巴西）强调，当今世界面临的危机的复杂性给全球治理结构带来了巨大压力。 现在是联合国进行改革的时候了，以便对和平与安全的多重挑战以及发展中世界的需求做出更合法的反应。 他认识到欧洲联盟在安全问题上的重要作用，提请注意欧盟对波斯尼亚和黑塞哥维那和平行动的贡献以及对巴勒斯坦权力机构可持续性的支持。 他鼓励欧盟加倍努力，寻求通过谈判解决乌克兰冲突。 他还强调有必要反思单边制裁的不可预见后果，指出单边制裁对其想要影响的行为体的影响有限，同时不可避免地会伤害平民。

伊斯兰国玛丽·多里安·雅罗-达诺特（法国）表示，欧盟一直在与联合国合作，确保法律高于武力。 她说，在捍卫《联合国宪章》方面，欧盟处于最前线，并指出俄罗斯联邦对联合国发动的侵略战争。欧洲土地，无视国际法。 欧盟成员国已向维和行动部署了5000多名人员。 在叙利亚和土耳其，欧盟已动员起来向地震受灾民众提供紧急援助。 在阿富汗，该集团是主要捐助者之一，继续向阿富汗人民提供援助，同时继续要求塔利班停止侵犯妇女和女童的自由。 她还强调，安理会应更具代表性，欢迎新的非常任理事国和常任理事国。

As More Conflicts, Problems around World Mount, European Union High Representative Tells Security Council World Must Invest in Revitalizing Multilateral System

United Nations, Meetings Coverage and Press Releases 23 February 2023

https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15210.doc.htm

Warning of a “deficit in multilateralism”, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief told Security Council today that the proliferation of conflicts and problems around the world are mounting as the collective capacity to find solutions declines.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said he feared the rise in power politics has led to more distrust, more point-scoring and more vetoes.  The price being paid by the world is more unsolved problems, festering conflicts and people left at the mercy of events.

“This we cannot afford,” he said, adding the Secretary-General’s proposal, Our Common Agenda, has the potential to deliver the reforms the world needs at the Summit of the Future.  “But only if all of us invest in revitalizing the multilateral system”, he said.  “It will not just happen by itself, sitting on your position, expecting others to do the job.  Nor will it happen if countries stick to narrow, nationalist agendas.”

At a periodic meeting convened to discuss the European Union’s cooperation with the United Nations, Mr. Borrell assured delegates that the bloc will do its part as a strong supporter of the United Nations, investing in the Organization politically and financially.  The Union and its member States are the largest collective contributor to the United Nations budget and it has always backed the Organization’s three pillars:  peace and security; sustainable development; and human rights.  He cited the bloc’s support for regions around the world, from helping African countries fight terrorism to aiding people suffering from the devastating earthquake in Syria and Türkiye to supporting peace in the Western Balkans.  Until the Russian Federation withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, the European Union will give Ukraine all the support it needs to defend its population, he said.

Many delegates voiced their support for the European Union’s steady work and the essential role that multilateralism plays in an increasingly interconnected and troubled world.

Olta Xhaçka, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, said cooperation between the United Nations and the Union is indispensable for international peace and security and global social and economic development.  In the face of European and global challenges, there is a need to strengthen cooperation for a common agenda and bolster multilateralism.  The European Union’s response to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine shows what solidarity is.  Albania has joined the bloc in a wide range of policies meant to reduce the Russian Federation’s ability to finance the war and help the economy and functionality of Ukraine.

Japan’s delegate stressed the indispensable role of regional organizations in enabling the Council to fulfil its primary responsibility to maintain peace and security.  She said the European Union has consistently demonstrated leadership on current issues on a global scale, such as its Global Gateway initiative.  She said the Union and Japan have conducted more than 25 joint anti-piracy exercises in the Gulf of Aden.

Noting that mutual challenges must be addressed collectively, the representative of the United Arab Emirates described the European Union as a key geopolitical actor, playing a constructive role in a myriad of issues on the Council’s agenda — from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Colombia to the Middle East Peace Process.  As the war in Ukraine rages on, the international community must redouble efforts to bring it to a just end, she said, warning against ignoring other crises.

Echoing this concern, the representative of Ghana said that as the war in Ukraine takes centre stage in international affairs, it is vital not to lose sight of other situations that could worsen conditions on the continent.  He drew attention to the renewed war between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Turning to the security landscape in Africa, he highlighted the European Union’s continuous support for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The representative of China urged the European Union to support the United Nations and take the lead in practicing true multilateralism with the Charter of the United Nations and the Organization’s principles at its core.  It should not intervene in the internal affairs of other States and should respect each country’s social system and development path and cooperate with all parties.  The Union should work towards the goal of a stable international security environment. He expected the bloc to work in the direction of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as developing countries face many challenges.

Also speaking at today’s meeting were Malta, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Russian Federation, Mozambique, Gabon, United States, Ecuador, Brazil and France.

The meeting started at 10:13 a.m. and ended at 12:20 p.m.

Briefing

JOSEP BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said during each of his three briefings, he has warned about a “deficit in multilateralism”.  He described how a rise in power politics has led to more distrust, more point-scoring and more vetoes — including at the Security Council.  The price was being paid in terms of problems not solved, conflicts that fester and people left at the mercy of events.  “I fear the situation this year is even worse.  The United Nations and the multilateral system are under threat like never before,” he said, pointing to the Secretary-General’s recent remarks that the international community must act decisively to avoid a meltdown.

A proliferation of conflicts and problems are mounting yet the collective capacity to find solutions is declining.  “This we cannot afford,” he said, adding the Secretary-General’s proposal, Our Common Agenda, has the potential to deliver the reforms the world needed at the Summit of the Future.  “But only if all of us invest in revitalizing the multilateral system”, he said.  “It will not just happen by itself, sitting on your position, expecting others to do the job.  Nor will it happen if countries stick to narrow, nationalist agendas.”

He said the European Union will do its part as a strong supporter, investing in the United Nations politically and financially.  The Union and its member States are the largest collective contributor to the United Nations budget and the bloc has always backed the Organization’s three pillars:  peace and security; sustainable development; and human rights.  Each depends on the other two for success and the international community must address both old and new security threats and counter the worsening human rights situation seen in so many countries.  Noting that 2023 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said it is a good moment to recall that human rights are universal and indivisible and apply to everyone, everywhere.  He urged the international community to renew its commitment to the sustainable development agenda and said the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals Summit is a crucial moment to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

On specific international challenges, he first turned to the one-year anniversary of the Russian Federation’s illegal war against Ukraine, which remains a clear-cut case of aggression and breach of the Charter of the United Nations.  No one is safe in a world where the illegal use of force — by a permanent Council member — would somehow be “normalized”.  That is why international law must be enforced everywhere to protect everyone from power politics, blackmail and military attack.

A just, comprehensive and lasting peace in line with the Charter is needed.  Until the Russian Federation withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, the European Union will give Ukraine all the support it needs to defend its population.  At the same time, it will continue to help the rest of the world cope with the fallout of Russia’s aggression.  He advocated for the renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative when it is up again in mid-March.

Turning to climate change, he said it is a test case for multilateralism as well as a security issue.  The climate crisis is a textbook example of where effective multilateral action is needed but is not occurring.  As the climate and security nexus dominate the global agenda, the Council will have to take up its responsibilities.

Regarding the European Union and United Nations cooperation on peace and security, he said all European crisis management operations work with the Organization as their partner.  This strategic partnership on peacekeeping and crisis management dates back two decades.  He said helping African countries fight against terrorism is another key priority for the European Union and several European missions currently provide military and civilian support to those countries, the latest example being the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique.

The European Union is committed to continue its support to African-led peace support operations and to the ongoing discussions to use United Nations assessed contributions for operations authorized by the Council.  Regional organizations, like the African Union and the European Union, play a key role in preventing and addressing crises.  He stressed that the European Union will remain fully engaged in all crises around the world, financially and politically.  He referred to the devastating earthquake in Syria and Türkiye and situations in Afghanistan, the Sahel and the Western Balkans.

He thanked the Council for the opportunity to explain the many crises beyond Ukraine and said the European Union remains committed to help people around the world and is doing its best to improve peace and security everywhere.

Statements

IAN BORG, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta, Council President for February, speaking in his national capacity, underscored that the European Union’s strategic relationship with the United Nations must continue to strengthen the respect for international law, including human rights, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.  Towards this end, he welcomed the Secretary-General’s comprehensive vision which outlines the necessary steps in renewing a multilateral approach.  Criticizing the inability of the European Union to come together to address global challenges — including climate — he emphasized that “a unilateral failure today will translate in collective ramifications for the many during the years to come”.  Regional cooperation is indispensable to the proper functioning of today’s interconnected world, he said, drawing attention to the existing comprehensive United Nations–European Union approach to crisis management, mediation and peace operations, including the support in different regions.  In this context, he welcomed the Union’s contribution to the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

OLTA XHAÇKA, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, said Mr. Borrell’s participation in the meeting shows that cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union is indispensable for international peace and security and global social and economic development.  In the face of European and global challenges, there is a need to strengthen cooperation for a common agenda and to strengthen multilateralism.  The two organizations have a crucial role to play in a wide range of issues, from humanitarian needs to climate change to respect for international law.  The Russian Federation’s unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine is on a scale that has not been seen since the Second World War.  The European Union’s response shows what solidarity is and her country has joined the bloc in a wide range of policies meant to reduce the Russian Federation’s ability to finance the war and help the economy and functionality of Ukraine and support accountability.  A comprehensive and just peace cannot be built on impunity and perpetrators should be held accountable.  The European Union’s security architecture needs to be strengthened and the expansion of the bloc in the Western Balkans needs to be sped up as it will produce a more secure continent.  The Union and United Nations should increase their regional cooperation in conflict resolution in the region beyond dialogue.  Albania is not yet a member of the Union but is a candidate and is engaged in negotiations.  Albania wants to join the bloc because it belongs there and shares its values.  The Union is the most brilliant project human history has ever known.  It has been proven to be efficient in preventing conflict.

KWAKU AMPRATWUM-SARPONG (Ghana), citing rapid deterioration of the security situation in Europe and worldwide, stressed that the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation has spurned new crises.  Apart from the humanitarian burden on neighbouring countries where millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge from the war, the energy crises threaten political stability in Europe.  Against this background, he encouraged closer cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union towards the immediate cessation of hostilities.  As the war in Ukraine takes centre stage in international affairs, it is vital not to lose sight of other situations which could further plunder conditions on the continent, he said, drawing attention to the renewed war between Armenia and Azerbaijan or the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Turning to the security landscape in his continent, he highlighted the European Union’s continuous support for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the effective implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan.  Moreover, he recognized the European Union’s contribution to humanitarian needs arising in areas of conflict, particularly in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen.  He also welcomed the European Union’s mobilizations of aid in communities affected by the recent earthquakes that struck parts of Syria and Türkiye earlier in February.

LANA ZAKI NUSSEIBEH (United Arab Emirates) recalled that 25 years ago, hundreds of Emirati troops were deployed to Kosovo to support stabilization efforts.  This initiative complemented the role of the United Nations and the European Union to ensure post-conflict recovery in the Balkans, she said, noting that mutual challenges must be addressed collectively.  She described the European Union as a key geopolitical actor, playing a constructive role in a myriad of issues on the Council’s agenda — from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Colombia to the Middle East Peace Process.  As the war in Ukraine rages on, the international community must redouble efforts to bring it to a just end, she said, warning against ignoring other crises.  Turning to security, she said emerging risks to collective stability — such as food insecurity, tech-enabled extremist incitement and nuclear sabre-rattling — require international cooperation.  In a moment of unprecedented displacement — from Syria to the Sahel — she called for a change of paradigm in managing the flow of those fleeing instability.  Promoting sustainable peace and economic opportunities in countries of origin should be a key element in addressing this issue.  She also stressed the need to ensure that civilians from Afghanistan to Yemen receive life-saving aid, “based on needs and not on politics”.  In this context, she emphasized that the European Union is one of the United Nations largest donors, providing critical financial and political support to front-line humanitarian efforts.

BARBARA WOODWARD (United Kingdom) said the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine saw the return of war to Europe.  The knock-on effects have made it harder to tackle the most pressing global challenges, exacerbated food insecurity and prolonged the damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The United Kingdom worked alongside the European Union to establish Energy Transition Partnerships which has helped coal-dependent emerging economies make a just energy transition.  She also welcomed the Union’s support for the United Nations Education Cannot Wait fund.  In addition, she highlighted the bloc’s cooperation with United Nations peace operations and peacebuilding in Mali and Somalia.  She predicted that the European Union Partnership Mission to Niger will play a vital role in supporting stability in the Sahel.  Turning to Ukraine, she pointed out that the Union has given vital humanitarian assistance and helped tackle global food insecurity by supporting the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

PASCALE CHRISTINE BAERISWYL (Switzerland) commended the joint efforts of the European Union and the United Nations to promote peace and prevent armed conflicts in the world, spotlighting initiatives such as the tripartite project of the African Union.  Turning to the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law, she stressed the importance of protecting children in armed conflicts, as well as persons hors de combat such as the wounded and sick, whether in Ukraine, Syria or elsewhere.  Supporting justice for all victims, she reiterated her country’s commitment to the fight against impunity and stressed that there can be no lasting peace without accountability.  Noting that security risks must be addressed in a broader sense, she described food insecurity and conflict as “a vicious circle” that affects many parts of the world, such as Yemen, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.  This includes the fight against climate change, which exacerbates food insecurity and can thus have implications for international peace and security, she noted.

SHINO MITSUKO (Japan) stressed the indispensable role of regional organizations in enabling the Council to fulfil its primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security.  The European Union has consistently demonstrated leadership on current issues on a global scale, she stressed, highlighting the importance of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.  Japan is willing to work with the Union to promote international connectivity as well as green and digital cooperation.  Moreover, she said, the Union and Japan have conducted more than 25 joint anti-piracy exercises in the Gulf of Aden.

DAI BING (China) said he supports the United Nations in its work with the European Union to uphold the principles of the Charter and to maintain global peace and security.  He expects the European Union to support the United Nations and practice true multilateralism and help to transform conflicts.  It should take the lead in practicing true multilateralism with the Charter and United Nations principles at its core.  It should not intervene in other countries internal affairs and respect each country’s social system and development path and cooperate with all parties.  The Union should work towards the goal of a stable international security environment.  No State can cope on its own or remove itself from the security concerns of all countries.  He expected the Union to work in the direction of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as developing countries face many challenges.  He expected the bloc to leverage its advantage in resources and provide targeted financial and technical support to developing countries that can dovetail with its needs.  The Ukraine crisis is creating an enormous challenge for Europe.  It must balance sustainable security architecture in Europe.  He called on the Russian Federation and Ukraine to stop fighting and start peace talks.  The European Union, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should engage with the Russian Federation to achieve common security on the continent.

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation) said thanks to the efforts of Brussels, the relationship between his country and the European Union “plummeted to rock bottom”.  When historians describe the years 2022–2023 in the chapter dedicated to the European Union, the words most commonly used will probably be the following:  “degradation, helplessness, short-sightedness and Russophobia”.  Despite being explicitly prohibited in European legislation, the Union delivers weapons to conflict zones, he said, adding that much of the deliveries are paid for from the European Peace Fund.  He pointed to events in European capitals and institutions dedicated to discussion of how best to destroy the Russian Federation amid measures to cancel its culture, art and athletic achievements.  Highlighting the desire to shut the door until this Russophobic turmoil comes to an end, he said the Russian Federation has been labelled as a sole threat to the European security and discussions are only allowed about collective security against his country.  The West signed an agreement on mutual security assurance which was arrogantly rebuffed, he recalled.  Since 2009, the European Union followed a completely different logic about the need for severing ties with Moscow, placing their shared neighbours before a choice:  “Russia or the European Union”.  The 2014 coup detonated acute Ukrainian crises, whose final phase the international community is now bearing witness to.  “All of these tales about good neighbourliness, partnership and a common space were a mere smokescreen for a confrontation with Russia,” he asserted.  “Today’s world is balancing on a verge of a suicidal conflict” where the European Union — alongside the rest of the West — is raising weapons deliveries to the Kyiv “regime”, increasing its complicity.  The Union is losing its own legal standing and becoming a spineless appendage of another military bloc whose true goals and intentions are well known.  On 10 February, a Joint Declaration on European Union-NATO Cooperation was signed, reaffirming the full subordination of the former to the goals set out by the military alliance, including its geopolitical ambitions of global domination.  Washington, D.C., stands behind Brussels, he asserted, noting that for every invested dollar, the European Union has to pay with independence and sovereignty.

PEDRO COMISSÁRIO AFONSO (Mozambique) registered that since 2004, the European Union has been a contributing partner to African Union conflict prevention efforts, through the African Peace Facility, a fund managed in partnership with the African Union’s Commission.  Between 2007 and 2019, the European Union has dispensed €2.7 billion in support of the African Union’s peace and security activities.  Since 2021, the European Peace Facility has been enabling the European Union to channel assistance directly to the regional Economic Communities — such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) — towards regional peace and security support operations.  Noting that the partnership between the European Union and the African Union must be based on a shared interest in tackling the root causes of conflicts, including promoting sustainable development, he stressed that that “African problems require African solutions first”.  He welcomed European Union’s support to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 implementation, the African Peace and Security Architecture, the African Governance Architecture and Silencing the Guns, a programme now extended to the year 2030.  Turning to counter-terrorism, he commended the European Union’s support to SADC’s initiatives to operationalize the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Centre, launched in February 2022 in the United Republic of Tanzania.

MICHEL XAVIER BIANG (Gabon) said the United Nations and the European Union have a positive relationship that keeps growing.  It is a benchmark partnership and has helped the United Nations address many challenges, from combating terrorism to promoting human rights and humanitarian aid.  The European Union is working to combat climate change.  The commitment of the Union is very important to bolstering multilateralism by reaffirming the key role played by the United Nations.  The European Union also helps ensure peace and security by financing conflict-prevention missions and peacebuilding missions in many parts of Africa.  Furthermore, it helps in the Western Balkans and Ukraine.  Many global crises are being exacerbated by climate change, and collaboration between the United Nations and European Union are important to tackling this issue.  The increasing regional nature of crises also means there should be greater cooperation among regional organizations.  This is necessary to fight extreme terrorist groups on the African continent.  The European Union and African Union have worked together, for example, on incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.  He supported greater trilateral cooperation between the United Nations, African Union and European Union to address cross-cutting concerns, such as terrorism.  He added that women and children should be involved in creating solutions to peacemaking challenges.

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) thanked the European Union for its invaluable contribution to international peace and security around the globe through its cooperation with the United Nations.  The United States and European Union have built a strong partnership based on shared values and are steadfastly committed to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.  These principles have been put to the test by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, the biggest threat to European security in decades.  The Russian Federation thought the invasion would divide the international community.  But the international community will remain with the Ukraine.  The dream of a Europe that is whole and free must not be just an aspiration and empty words, but something that can be enjoyed by all.  The United States and the European Union are working with United Nations agencies to mitigate the humanitarian impact of the war.  This war has exacerbated the food crisis around the world.  In September 2022, there was a global food security summit and more than 100 Member States responded to the world food crisis.  This commitment must be backed up with financial assistance.  She said the United States and European Union are among the largest donors to world food agencies.  She noted the ways in which the European Union-United Nations cooperation and partnership has helped to maintain peace and security around the world, including in Haiti, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Africa.  She welcomed its efforts to work with the African Union and United Nations to promote stability in Africa.  The European Union is a critical partner to the United Nations and the Council, a partnership that must be strengthened.

HERNÁN PÉREZ LOOSE (Ecuador) said he recognized the European Union’s contribution to multilateralism and acknowledged the commitments of its members to achieve an international order based on international law.  The Union is working to promote peace and security where it is most needed.  Ecuador and the European Union recognize the urgency of many challenges, such as protecting women and children, preventing armed conflict and addressing emerging threats such as cyberspace risks and the loss of biodiversity.  Ecuador, like the European Union, condemns the military aggression against Ukraine, he said, noting the draft resolution the General Assembly is considering this morning on Ukraine.  He commended the efforts of the European Union in other areas, such as the Western Balkans and the European Union-led peacekeeping force in that area that helps maintain in peace.  He noted the Union’s support for ATMIS as well as the bloc’s work in the Sahel region.  He backed the European Union playing a greater role in a world free of nuclear weapons.  He trusted there would be continued cooperation between the Union and Latin America in many areas, such as combating money laundering and drug trafficking.  He encouraged the Union to provide more support to Haiti as it transitions in order to ensure a safe region and world and acknowledged the bloc’s role in the peace process in Colombia.  The European Union is a strategic partner of the United Nations and he hoped the partnership would continue to grow.

LUÍS GUILHERME PARGA CINTRA (Brazil) underscored that the complexity of the crises the worlds faces today places enormous pressure on global governance structures.  It is high time the United Nations is reformed to offer more legitimate responses to the multiple challenges to peace and security and the demands of the developing world.  Recognizing the important role of the European Union in security issues, he drew attention to its contributions to the peace operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its support for the sustainability of the Palestinian Authority.  He encouraged the Union to redouble its efforts in the search for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Ukraine.  He also highlighted the need to reflect on the unforeseen consequences of unilateral sanctions, citing their limited effect on actors whose behaviour they intend to influence, while invariably harming civilian populations.

ISIS MARIE DORIANE JARAUD-DARNAULT (France) said the European Union has been working alongside the United Nations to ensure the primacy of law over force.  The Union is at the forefront when it comes to defending the Charter of the United Nations, she said, pointing to the war of aggression which has been waged by the Russian Federation on European soil, in contempt of international law.  Member States of the European Union have deployed more than 5,000 personnel in peacekeeping operations.  In Syria and Turkey, the Union has mobilized to deliver emergency assistance to the populations victimized by the earthquake.  In Afghanistan, the bloc is among the leading donors, maintaining its assistance to the Afghan population while continuing to demand that the Taliban stops violating the freedoms of women and girls.  She also underscored that the Security Council should be more representative and welcome new non-permanent and permanent members.