Statement by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
On the occasion of
admission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
to membership to the United Nations
1 November 2000
It is a great pleasure
on this historic occasion to welcome, on behalf of the General Assembly, the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a member of the United Nations.
We have at the Millennium Summit reaffirmed our commitment to the purposes and
principles of the Charter. The admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
into the family of nations is of great significance, as it strengthens the universality
of the United Nations and thus enhances its legitimacy and effectiveness.
Equally, I am confident, it strengthens the efforts by the international community
to bring stability to the South East Europe, efforts in which the United Nations
plays in many ways the leading role.
The path leading to this moment has been long and troublesome. But today we
should look to the future and welcome the admission of the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia as a promising new beginning. Today signals also the strength
of the United Nations itself and its decisions.
Less than a month ago the whole world congratulatednewly elected President Kostunica
and the people of his country for their success in assuring a peaceful victory
towards democracy. We all held high regard for the people whose democratically
expressed will prevailed over many obstacles. Their voices have been heard around
the world and the movement towards democracy has gained new strength.
Moreover, this change gave realistic hope for asolution to the remaining problems
in the region of South- East Europe based on the principles of peace, democracy,
rule of law and human rights.
The admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations signifies
a new era in co-operation between the new member state and the other members
of the United Nations, including its neighbors and other successor states of
the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The resolutions of the
General Assembly on the strengthening of cooperation in the region of South
East Europe will gain additional momentum. This will also give new vigor to
a number of regional initiatives. Here we welcome the recent admission of the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.
We can also envisage a new era in fulfilling many other goals of the United
Nations Charter, including respect for human rights. All this will contribute
to the strengthening of regional stability and international peace and security.
The United Nations and its Member States should be prepared to strengthen their
support to the region and to the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
in addressing the many remaining problems that need to be solved.
Today we must look to the future while at the same time remember that freedom
carries with it responsibilities, including those relating to the pursuit of
justice. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia is of paramount importance for all the countries concerned, including
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Finally, I wish the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
peace, prosperity and every success for the future.