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

Official Records

General Assembly

Fifty-sixth session

First Committee

16th meeting

Monday, 29 October 2001, 3 p.m.

New York

Chairman:  Mr. Erdös………………………………………………………………………..(Hungary)

    The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m.

Agenda items 64 to 84 ( continued)

Thematic discussion on item subjects; introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions submitted under all disarmament and international security items

[…]

  Mr. Maandi (Algeria) (spoke in French ): I have the pleasure of introducing to the Committee the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/56/L.37, entitled “Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region”, on behalf of the following sponsors: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Yugoslavia.

  The yearly introduction of this draft resolution by the group of sponsors proves, if proof were needed, the interest that the countries of the Mediterranean basin and Europe attach to making a haven for peace, security and cooperation of our region, where the virtues of the exchanges between peoples have most often and best been expressed since the beginning of history.

  The countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region are convinced of their common destiny as a community of immense, complementary resources and are committed to a dialogue that continues to be strengthened by an increasing number of joint initiatives to promote a coherent, interdependent whole.

  The Barcelona Conference of 1995 was a demonstration of the new-found vision of the Euro-Mediterranean region as a whole. The Conference undeniably marked the recognition of the historically rich nature of Euro-Mediterranean relations and of the need to work together, using a global, concerted approach, to lay the foundations for a mutually advantageous partnership responding equitably to the needs of peoples in the region.

  The various ministerial meetings held later and other forums for dialogue and consultation promoted the construction of the kind of Euro-Mediterranean region that we all desire: one that is stable and prosperous.

  The draft resolution submitted for the consideration of the Committee is no different from resolution 55/38, adopted in the previous session of the Assembly. It continues to be based on factors aimed at strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean.

  With respect to the preamble, the draft resolution recalls the totality of initiatives taken by Mediterranean countries to strengthen peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region and reaffirms the primary role of those countries in reaching that objective. It also reaffirms the responsibility of all States to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean region and their commitment to respecting the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the provisions of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

  Furthermore, the draft resolution reaffirms the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and notes that peace negotiations in the Middle East should be of a comprehensive nature and represent an appropriate framework for the peaceful settlement of contentious issues in the region.

  Operative paragraph 2 of the draft resolution reaffirms the fundamental principles providing the foundation for the efforts made by Mediterranean countries to eliminate all causes of tension in the region and to find just, peaceful and lasting solutions to persistent problems in the region. Operative paragraph 4 reaffirms the conviction that the elimination of the economic and social disparities linked to inequality of development, as well as the promotion of mutual respect and greater understanding between cultures in the Mediterranean basin, will serve to reinforce peace, security and cooperation between countries in the region.

  With respect to disarmament, operative paragraph 5 calls on regional States that have not yet done so to ratify all multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. Operative paragraph 6 encourages all States to strengthen their confidence-building measures and promote openness and transparency.

  As well, operative paragraph 7 encourages all Mediterranean States to further strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, taking into account the relevant resolutions of the United Nations, organized crime, illicit arms transfers and drug production and trafficking, which pose a serious threat to peace, stability and the friendly relations between States, hinder international cooperation, and lead to the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to the destruction of the democratic foundations of a pluralist society.

  As in past sessions, the sponsors are confident that the draft resolution will receive the valuable support of all members of the Committee and be adopted without a vote.

[…]

 Mr. Khairat (Egypt): With regard to the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/56/L.25, entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East”, my delegation is still conducting consultations with other delegations, so the draft resolution will not be ready for action tomorrow.

   The meeting rose at 4.35 p.m.

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the interpretation of speeches delivered in the other languages. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room C-178. Corrections will be issued after the end of the session in a consolidated corrigendum.