Mediterranean security and cooperation – First Cttee report

STRENGTHENING OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN THE

MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Report of the First Committee

Rapporteur:  Mr. Macaire KABORE (Burkina Faso)

I.  INTRODUCTION

1. The item entitled "Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region" was included in the provisional agenda of the forty-eighth session of the General Assembly in accordance with its resolution 47/58 of 9 December 1992.

2. At its 3rd plenary meeting, on 24 September 1993, the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the General Committee, decided to include the item in its agenda and to allocate it to the First Committee.

3. At its 2nd meeting, on 14 October 1993, the First Committee decided to hold a general debate on all disarmament and international security items allocated to it, namely, items 57 to 75 and 77 to 82.  The deliberations on those items took place at the 3rd to 14th meetings, on 18 to 22, 25, 26 and 28 October (see A/C.1/48/SR.3-14).  Consideration of draft resolutions on those items took place at the 18th to 23rd meetings, on 3 to 5, 8 and 9 November (see A/C.1/48/SR.18-23).  Action on draft resolutions on those items took place at the 24th to 30th meetings, on 11, 12, 15, 16, 18 and 19 November (see A/C.1/48/SR.24-30).

4. In connection with item 77, the First Committee had before it the following documents:

(a) Report of the Secretary-General on strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (A/48/514 and Add.1);

(b) Letter dated 24 August 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (A/48/353-S/26372);

(c) Letter dated 28 October 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (A/48/564).

II.  CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.1/48/L.43 AND REV.1

5. At the 24th meeting on 11 November, Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia, submitted a draft resolution entitled "Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region" (A/C.1/48/L.43).  The text of the draft resolution was as follows:

"Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region

"The General Assembly,

"Recalling its relevant resolutions, including its resolution 47/58 of 9 December 1992,

"Reaffirming the primary role of the Mediterranean countries in strengthening and promoting peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

"Recognizing the efforts realized so far and the determination of the Mediterranean countries to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations with a view to resolving the problems existing in the Mediterranean region and eliminating the causes of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security,

"Recognizing also the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and that the enhancement of cooperation among Mediterranean countries with a view to promoting the economic and social development of all peoples of the region will contribute significantly to stability, peace and security in the region,

"Recognizing further that prospects for closer Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in all spheres can be enhanced by positive developments world wide, particularly in Europe and in the Middle East,

"Aware of the recent positive developments in the Middle East peace process,

"Expressing satisfaction at the growing awareness of the need for joint efforts by all Mediterranean countries so as to strengthen economic, social, cultural and environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

"Reaffirming 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 provision of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, 1/

"Expressing its concern at the persistent tension and continuing military activities in parts of the Mediterranean that hinder efforts to strengthen security and cooperation in the region,

"Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on this item, 2/

"1. Reaffirms that security in the Mediterranean is closely linked to European security as well as to international peace and security;

"2. Expresses its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems of the region through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation, respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries of the Mediterranean and the right of peoples to self-determination, and therefore calls for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force or threat of use of force and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in accordance with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations;

"3. Commends the efforts by the Mediterranean countries in the continuation of initiatives and negotiations as well as the adoption of measures that will promote confidence- and security-building as well as disarmament in the Mediterranean region, and encourages them to pursue these efforts further;

"4. Recognizes that the elimination of the economic and social disparities in levels of development as well as other obstacles in the Mediterranean area will contribute to enhancing peace, security and cooperation among Mediterranean countries;

"5. Encourages the Mediterranean countries further to strengthen their cooperation in facing the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and therefore to the improvement of the current political, economic and social situation;

"6. Takes note of the conclusions of the Tenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Jakarta from 1 to 6 September 1992, concerning the Mediterranean; 3

"7. Takes note also of the 'Helsinki Document 1992 – The Challenges of Change', 4/ adopted in July 1992, whereby the heads of State or Government of the States participating in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe agreed, inter alia, to widen their cooperation and enlarge their dialogue with the non-participating Mediterranean States as a means to promote social and economic development, thereby enhancing stability in the region, in order to narrow the prosperity gap between Europe and its Mediterranean neighbours and protect the Mediterranean ecosystems;

"8. Recalls the decisions taken by the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Western Mediterranean Countries, held at Algiers in October 1991, and the decision concerning the forthcoming summit meeting of the Western Mediterranean countries to be held at Tunis;

"9. Recalls also the final Declaration adopted by the Presidential Council of the Arab Maghreb Union, held at Tunis from 21 to 23 January 1990; 5/

"10. Recalls further the Declaration of the European Council on relations between Europe and the Maghreb, 6/ issued at Lisbon on 25 June 1992, which underlines the views of the European Community and its member States on the principles and measures capable of strengthening stability and security and encouraging economic, social and cultural progress in the region;

"11. Takes note of the final report of the international symposium on the future of the Mediterranean region, held at Tunis on 4 and 5 November 1992;

"12. Takes note also of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe seminar on the Mediterranean, held at Valletta from 17 to 21 May 1993, as well as the two seminars held under the auspices of the Western European Union at Madrid in October 1992 and in Rome in March 1993, dealing respectively with security and cooperation in the Western Mediterranean and with the southern dimension of European security;

"13. Recalls the conclusions and recommendations of the first Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean, 7/ held at Malaga from 15 to 20 June 1992, which, inter alia, launched a pragmatic process of cooperation which would gradually gain in strength and coverage, generate a positive and irreversible momentum and facilitate the settlement of disputes;

"14. Encourages 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;

"15. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on means to strengthen security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region;

"16. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth session the item entitled 'Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region'."

_____________

1/ Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.

2/ A/48/514 and Add.1.

3/ See A/47/675-S/24816, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-seventh Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1992, document S/24816.

4/ A/47/361-S/24370, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-seventh Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1992, document S/24370.

5/ A/45/110.

6/ A/47/310, annex.

7/ See A/C.1/47/8, appendix.

6. At the 24th meeting, on 11 November, the representative of Algeria, on behalf of the sponsors, introduced a revised draft resolution (A/C.1/48/L.43/Rev.1), which was later also sponsored by Croatia and Slovenia.  The draft resolution A/C.1/48/L.43/Rev.1 contained the following changes:

(a) Operative paragraph 5 was replaced with:

"5. Encourages the Mediterranean countries to strengthen further their cooperation in facing the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and therefore to the improvement of the current political, economic and social situation";

(b) The following new operative paragraph 8 was added:

"8. Takes note further of the references concerning the Mediterranean region in paragraphs 37 and 38 of the communiqué of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting held in Cyprus from 21 to 25 October 1993;" _/

_____________

"_/ A/48/564, annex."

and the following paragraphs and footnotes were renumbered accordingly.

7. At its 29th meeting, on 18 November, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.1/48/L.43/Rev.1 without a vote (see para. 8).

III.  RECOMMENDATION OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE

8. The First Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolution:

Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region

The General Assembly,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including its resolution 47/58 of 9 December 1992,

Reaffirming the primary role of the Mediterranean countries in strengthening and promoting peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

Recognizing the efforts realized so far and the determination of the Mediterranean countries to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations with a view to resolving the problems existing in the Mediterranean region and to eliminating the causes of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security,

Recognizing also the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and that the enhancement of cooperation among Mediterranean countries with a view to promoting the economic and social development of all peoples of the region will contribute significantly to stability, peace and security in the region,

Recognizing further that prospects for closer Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in all spheres can be enhanced by positive developments world wide, particularly in Europe and in the Middle East,

Aware of the recent positive developments in the Middle East peace process,

Expressing satisfaction of the growing awareness of the need for joint efforts by all Mediterranean countries so as to strengthen economic, social, cultural and environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

Reaffirming 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 provision of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, 1/

Expressing its concern at the persistent tension and continuing military activities in parts of the Mediterranean that hinder efforts to strengthen security and cooperation in the region,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on this item, 2/

1. Reaffirms that security in the Mediterranean is closely linked to European security as well as to international peace and security;

2. Expresses its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems of the region through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation, respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries of the Mediterranean and the right of peoples to self-determination, and therefore calls for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force or threat of use of force and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in accordance with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations;

3. Commends the efforts by the Mediterranean countries in the continuation of initiatives and negotiations as well as the adoption of measures that will promote confidence- and security-building as well as disarmament in the Mediterranean region, and encourages them to pursue these efforts further;

4. Recognizes that the elimination of the economic and social disparities in levels of development as well as other obstacles in the Mediterranean area will contribute to enhancing peace, security and cooperation among Mediterranean countries;

5. Encourages the Mediterranean countries to strengthen further their cooperation in facing the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and therefore to the improvement of the current political, economic and social situation;

6. Takes note of the conclusions of the Tenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Jakarta from 1 to 6 September 1992, concerning the Mediterranean; 3/

7. Takes note also of the "Helsinki Document 1992 – The Challenges of Change", 4/ adopted in July 1992, whereby the heads of State or Government of the States participating in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe agreed, inter alia, to widen their cooperation and enlarge their dialogue with the non-participating Mediterranean States as a means to promote social and economic development, thereby enhancing stability in the region, in order to narrow the prosperity gap between Europe and its Mediterranean neighbours and protect the Mediterranean ecosystems;

8. Takes note further of the references concerning the Mediterranean region in paragraphs 37 and 38 of the Communiqué adopted at the Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Countries of the Commonwealth, held in Cyprus from 21 to 25 October 1993; 5/

9. Recalls the decisions taken by the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Western Mediterranean Countries, held at Algiers in October 1991, and the decision concerning the forthcoming summit meeting of the Western Mediterranean countries to be held at Tunis;

10. Recalls also the final Declaration adopted by the Presidential Council of the Arab Maghreb Union, held at Tunis from 21 to 23 January 1990; 6/

11. Recalls further the Declaration of the European Council of Ministers on relations between Europe and the Maghreb, 7/ issued at Lisbon on 25 June 1992, which underlines the views of the European Community and its member States on the principles and measures capable of strengthening stability and security and encouraging economic, social and cultural progress in the region;

12. Takes note of the final report of the international symposium on the future of the Mediterranean region, held at Tunis on 4 and 5 November 1992;

13. Notes the seminar on the Mediterranean of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, held at Valletta from 17 to 21 May 1993, as well as the two seminars held under the auspices of the Western European Union at Madrid in October 1992 and at Rome in March 1993, dealing respectively with security and cooperation in the Western Mediterranean and with the southern dimension of European security;

14. Recalls the conclusions and recommendations of the first Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean, 8/ held at Malaga from 15 to 20 June 1992, which, inter alia, launched a pragmatic process of cooperation that would gradually gain in strength and coverage, generate a positive and irreversible momentum and facilitate the settlement of disputes;

15. Encourages 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;

16. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on means to strengthen security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region;

17. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth session the item entitled "Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region".

____________

1/ Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.

2/ A/48/514 and Add.1.

3/ See A/47/675-S/24816, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-seventh Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1992, document S/24816, annex.

4/ A/47/361-S/24370, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-seventh Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1992, document S/24370, annex.

5/   A/48/564, annex.

6/ A/45/110.

7/ A/47/310, annex.

8/ See A/C.1/47/8, appendix.

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