Mediterranean security & cooperation – First Cttee debate – Verbatim record (excerpts)

Official Records

General Assembly

First Committee

21st meeting

Wednesday, 16 November 1994, 3.30.m.

New York

President:  Mr. Valencia Rodriguez ……………………. (Ecuador)

The meeting was called to order at 4.05 p.m.

Agenda items 56 to 65, 68, 71, 72 and 73 (continued)

Action on draft resolutions submitted under disarmament and international security items

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Mr. Fouathia (Algeria) (interpretation from French):   Like Ambassador Elaraby, I wish to convey my delegation’s congratulations to the representative of Ukraine on his country’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). A few weeks ago, my country itself ratified that Treaty, and it will be ready to submit its instrument of ratification in a few weeks.

I wish now to introduce draft resolution A/C.1/49/L.47/Rev.2, entitled “Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region”, on behalf of its sponsors, which include almost all the coastal States of the Mediterranean: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and Tunisia.

The increase in the number of sponsors compared with last year is a perfect illustration of the state of mind in most Mediterranean countries and of their willingness to work together to strengthen cooperation and security in the Mediterranean basin. Those are the principal considerations that prevailed during the formulation of the draft resolution.

This draft resolution differs from previous resolutions on this item in that it deals in a more orderly way with a broader range of questions relating to security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, taking greater account of the current situation in our region. Taking advantage of the dynamics of peace that prevail in the region, the sponsors wanted to express their sincere desire to give fresh impetus to their multifaceted relations so as to bolster the climate of confidence and security that is essential if the Mediterranean is to be a lake of peace and cooperation.

The draft resolution we are submitting to the First Committee this year restates most of the paragraphs of earlier resolutions that, in the view of the sponsors, remain timely and omits those no longer of significance. It introduces new provisions aimed more at the attainment of the objectives of this initiative, such as those relating to security and cooperation. By the preamble, the General Assembly would bear in mind all initiatives taken by the Mediterranean countries with a view to consolidating peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region. It would reaffirm the primary role of the riparian countries themselves. The Assembly would note with satisfaction the positive developments in the Middle East peace process that will lead to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region. The Assembly would further reaffirm the responsibility of all States to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean region and their commitment to respect the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the provisions of the 1970 Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Also in the preambular part, the Assembly would also recognize the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and the determination of Mediterranean countries to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations with a view to resolving the problems existing in the region, to eliminate the causes of tension, and to foster closer European-Mediterranean cooperation.

The operative part of the draft resolution draws upon the main provisions of last year’s resolution 48/81 and strengthens those that encourage riparian States to continue their efforts to remove all obstacles to the promotion of confidence-building measures, disarmament measures and other measures towards the establishment of a climate of peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean region.

In the area of disarmament and security, the Assembly would welcome with satisfaction Algeria’s adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and would call upon all other States in the region that have not yet done so to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament. Similarly, the Assembly would encourage all States of the region to promote genuine openness and transparency in all military matters.

Further, the Assembly would recognize that the elimination of the economic and social disparities in levels of development will contribute to enhancing peace, security and cooperation among Mediterranean countries. It would encourage Mediterranean countries to strengthen further their cooperation in facing terrorist activities, which pose a threat to peace, security and stability in the region. It would invite all States of the region to address the challenge of terrorism through cooperation of all kinds, and to address criminal acts, as well as illegal drug production, consumption and trafficking, which jeopardize the friendly relations among States, hinder the development of international cooperation and result in the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the democratic basis of pluralistic society.

Furthermore, the Assembly would encourage the continued widespread support among Mediterranean countries for the convening of a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, as well as the ongoing regional consultations to create the appropriate conditions for its convening.

In view of this new dynamic motivating most of the coastal States of the Mediterranean region, which is faithfully reflected in draft resolution A/C.1/49/L.47/Rev.2, the sponsors remain confident that, as in previous sessions, this draft resolution will enjoy the support of all members of the Committee and will thus be adopted without a vote.

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Mr. Yativ (Israel): Israel joined the consensus on draft resolution A/C.1/49/L.47/Rev.2. My delegation  wishes to remind the Committee that its position is that all regional security matters pertaining to the Middle East are subject to the peace negotiations. Operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution does not take this into account.  Accordingly, we have to reiterate that our position is that in the region of the Middle East the establishment of a mutually verifiable nuclear-weapons-free zone in due course is the suitable solution.

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The meeting rose at 5.50 p.m.