Security Council – Work assessment under Turkey presidency (June 2009) – Letter from Turkey (excerpts)

    Letter dated 11 August 2009 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council  

  I have the honour to transmit herewith a report on the work of the Security Council during the presidency of Turkey in June 2009 (see annex). The document was prepared under my responsibility, following consultations with other members of the Security Council.

  I should be grateful if you would have the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Fazlı Çorman 

Minister Counsellor

Chargé d’affaires a.i.

    Annex to the letter dated 11 August 2009 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the

United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of Turkey (June 2009)

   Introduction

  During the month of June 2009, under the presidency of Ambassador Baki Ilkin, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations, the Security Council held 11 consultations of the whole and 21 formal meetings, including two private meetings, one private debate and 18 public meetings.

  In June 2009, the Council adopted three resolutions, two presidential statements and four statements to the press.

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The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

  On 23 June, at a formal meeting, the Council heard a briefing on the situation in the Middle East by the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry. He reported to the Council that international diplomatic efforts were under way to reinvigorate the peace process for a two-State solution, and underlined the importance of reactivating the regional tracks alongside a rejuvenated Israeli-Palestinian track. He also emphasized the negative repercussions of the unresolved crisis in Gaza on efforts to advance the peace process, and also expressed concern regarding continuing illegal settlement construction across the West Bank and about inadequate enforcement of the rule of law against violent settlers. The Special Coordinator also stressed the need for Palestinian reconciliation and reunification, and noted continuing efforts to prevent the resupply of illicit weapons to militants in Gaza. With regard to Lebanon, he noted that the parliamentary elections of 7 June were held in an atmosphere of calm and that a climate of dialogue and cooperation had prevailed in Lebanon since then. During the consultations of the whole that followed, many Council members stressed the importance of the vision of two States, and called on the parties to fulfil their obligations emanating from the road map and to avoid taking steps that might prejudge the final outcome of the negotiations. The need for Palestinian unity was also widely emphasized, as was the hope that a government would soon be formed in Lebanon.

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