Mediterranean security and cooperation – First Cttee report

STRENGTHENING OF SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION

IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Report of the First Committee

Rapporteur:  Mr. Latévi Modem LAWSON-BETUM (Togo)

I.  INTRODUCTION

1. The item entitled "Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region was included in the provisional agenda of the forty-fifth session of the General Assembly in accordance with Assembly resolution 44/125 of 15 December 1989.

2. At its 3rd plenary meeting, on 21 September 1990, 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. The First Committee considered the item jointly with items 69, 70 and 12 at its 44th to 40th meetings, on 26 to 29 November 1990 (see A/C.1/45/PV.44-49).

4. In connection with item 68, the First Committee had before it the following documents:

(a) Report. of the Secretary-General on the strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region (A/45/713),

(b) Letter dated 19 January 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting excerpts from a speech delivered on 15 January 1990 by the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania and the President of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of Albania (A/45/88);

(c) Letter dated 26 January 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting the final declaration of the first regular session of the Presidential Council of the Arab Maghreb Union, held at Tunis from 21 to 23 January 1990 (A/45/110);

(d) Letter dated 12 March 1990 from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting the text of a statement issued by the People's Committee of the People's Bureau for Foreign Liaison and International Co-operation (A/45/163-S/21185);

(e) Letter dated 30 April 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General transmitting the text of the resolution adopted by the 83rd Inter-Parliamentary Conference held at Nicosia from 2 to 7 April 1990 (A/45/259-S/21279);

(f) Letter dated 29 June 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting the texts of the resolutions adopted by t.he 83rd Inter-Parliamentary Conference held at Nicosia from 2 to 7 April 1990 (A/45/329);

(g) Letter dated 23 July 1990 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting the text of the Declaration on the Prospects of Global Dialogue on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean and the final communiqué adopted at the Third Ministerial Conference of the Mediterranean Non-Aligned Countries, held at Algiers on 25 and 26 June 1990 (A/45/357);

(h) Letter dated 1 November 1990 from the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General transmitting the text of the joint communiqué of the Meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Balkan States, held at Tirana on 24 and 25 October 1990 (A/45/701).

II.  CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.1/45/L.65

5. On 21 November 1990, Albania, Algeria, Cyrus, Egypt, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Tunisia and Yugoslavia submitted a draft resolution entitled "Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region" (A/C.1/45/L.65), which was later also sponsored by Morocco.

6. At the 49th meeting, on 29 November, the representative of Malta introduced the draft resolution on behalf of the co-sponsors.

7. At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.1/45/L.65 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 resolution:

Strengthening of security and co-operation

in the Mediterranean region

The General Assembly,

Recalling its relevant resolution, including its resolution 44/125 of 15 December 1989,

Recognizing the importance of intensifying and promoting peace, security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region and of strengthening further the economic, commercial and cultural links in the region,

Reaffirming the primary role of the Mediterranean countries in the promotion of peace, security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region,

Expressing concern at the persistent tension and continuing military operation. and activities in parts of the Mediterranean region and the consequent threat to peace and security,

Welcoming the favourable developments in international political relations and expressing the hope that the enhancement of security and co-operation, particularly in Europe, will also have a positive impact on the Mediterranean region,

Reaffirming the responsibility of all States to conform in their actions to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as to the provisions of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, 1/

Recognizing the efforts realized so far and the determination expressed by the Mediterranean countries to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations aimed at promoting peace, security and co-operation in the region,

Recognizing also the desire of the Mediterranean countries that the needs of their region be taken into account in ongoing and future negotiations relating to international security and disarmament, particularly on the enhancement of security and co-operation in Europe,

Recognizing further the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and the need to ensure that all actions are aimed towards the promotion of peace, security and co-operation in the region,

Noting with satisfaction the greater awareness in Europe of the need for independent action in the Mediterranean with the aim of contributing to reducing tension, improving good-neighbourly relations and fostering political, cultural and economic progress 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. Welcomes the determination expressed by Mediterranean countries to intensify their efforts to promote dialogue and co-operation in the region in order to achieve through peaceful settlement just and lasting solutions to those crises which still threaten regional peace and stability, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and the right of peoples under colonial or foreign domination to self-determination and independence, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;

3. Takes note of the conclusions of the Third Ministerial Conference of the Mediterranean Non-Aligned Countries, held at Algiers in June 1990, 3/ and of the expressed conviction that an open and sustained dialogue as well as intensive co-operation would increase mutual understanding and trust, thus promoting stability, security and peace in the region;

4. Expresses satisfaction at the progress achieved with the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which has increased substantially the possibilities of implementing the commitment made by the States participating in the Conference to intensify political dialogue and co-operation with all Mediterranean countries in order to strengthen security and work towards the relaxation of tensions, the settlement of crises and conflicts as well as towards the development of co-operation in the Mediterranean;

5. Takes note of the report of the Meeting of the Mediterranean of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, held at Pa1ma de Mallorca, which, inter alia, reaffirmed the commitment of the States participating in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe to, and stressed the continuing relevance of, the provisions of the Conference concerning security and co-operation in the Mediterranean;

6. Notes the widespread support among Mediterranean countries for the proposal to convene a Conference on Security and Co-operation in the Mediterranean and their willingness to open regional consultations with a view to creating the appropriate conditions for the initiation of such a process;

7. Notes also the progress already achieved in other initiatives promoting security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region, in particular, the 83rd Inter-Parliamentary Conference, held at Nicosia in April 1990, the First Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Western Mediterranean, held at Rome in October 1990, the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Balkan States, held at Tirana in October 1980, and the meetings of the Arab Maghreb Union;

8. Emphasizes the need for just and peaceful settlement of persistent problems in the region and the need for respective and safeguarding the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and peoples of the Mediterranean and for full adherence to the principles of 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;

9. Urges all States to co-operate with the Mediterranean States in the intensification of existing forms of co-operation in various fields, with a view to reducing tension, promoting peace, and security and ensuring stability, prosperity and support for democratic processes, economic reforms and development in the countries of the region in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;

10. Encourages efforts to eliminate the economic and social disparities in levels of development and to promote a durable growth of the Mediterranean States, particularly the developing States of the region, which are displaying sustained efforts to adjust and which are making sacrifices in a still unfavourably environment;

11. Invites the Secretary-General to continue to pay close attention to the question of peace, security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region and, if requested to do so, to render advice and assistance to Mediterranean countries in their concerted efforts in promoting peace, security and co-operation in the region;

12. Invites all Member States as well as the relevant regional organizations and subregional groupings, to communicate to the Secretary-General concrete ideas and suggestions concerning this issue, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session;

13. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-sixth session the item entitled "Strengthening of security and co-operation in the Mediterranean region".

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Notes