Romania, 1995

Allow me first, on behalf of the Romanian

delegation, to congratulate Ambassador Freitas do Amaral

of Portugal most sincerely, and all the members of the

Bureau of the General Assembly, on their elections.

Romania is fully committed to the ideals and goals of

the United Nations Charter and, as an active Member,

deeply appreciates the activity of the United Nations at this

time of an anniversary celebration when it is in the process

of redefining itself in order to meet the present international

requirements and to anticipate what will happen in the third

millennium.

Allow me to convey to the Secretary-General,

Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, our deep appreciation for his

sustained efforts to adapt the United Nations to the ever-

increasing requirements of a totally changing world. I did

that already in Bucharest when he visited us last autumn.

At that time we had a very useful exchange of views on

problems concerning cooperation between Romania and the

United Nations and concerning the availability and

openness of the Romanian Government to support, and

actively participate in, the global efforts of the United

Nations.

Romania is at present celebrating, not only the fiftieth

anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, but also

the fortieth anniversary of its admission to this world

Organization. Despite its sacrifices and its important

contribution to shortening the Second World War and the

victory of the United Nations coalition, Romania was

admitted to the United Nations 10 years after the Charter

came into force. None the less, my country has proved its

responsible commitment and its active role in the most

important debate on international matters and in promoting

the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

In the six years since December 1989 the legislative

and institutional framework for a democratic society has

been constantly under development in Romania. The broad

consensus of all political forces in my country eloquently

proves that we as a nation have opted to become a law-

abiding State with respect for political pluralism, for a

market economy and for fundamental rights and

freedoms. The new institutions that have been established

are now in operation and at the same time have been

consolidated, thus contributing to the democratization of

our society and the acceleration of the process of

transformation, in keeping with the strategy for

socio-economic reform which my Government has.

The complex reform programme has been unfolding

successfully. In 1995 the reality in Romania differs from

that at the end of 1992. The success of macroeconomic

stabilization, and the improvement in the macroeconomy

in general are an important argument for the integration

of Romania into the European Union as it is an argument

for other countries of central Europe.

That does not mean that reform in Romania is going

along smoothly and without obstacles. As is the case with

other central European countries, its implementation

involves large social costs which require permanent social

security measures.

In this sense, I should like to emphasize the support

and encouragement that the United Nations has given to

Romania and to other countries in transition, which show

the capacity of the world Organization to support the

reform process.

In this context, my delegation wishes to welcome the

Secretary-General’s report entitled “Support by the United

Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote

and consolidate new or restored democracies”. We feel

that a substantial debate on this subject could define a

new dimension for United Nations activity. Romania,

which next year is to organize the Third International

Conference of New or Restored Democracies has decided

to make that meeting an important event for the

promotion of democratic values throughout the world.

Romania’s political objectives are determined not by

circumstances but rather by its decisive commitment to

democracy, market economy, respect for human rights

and the need to ensure the country’s peace and prosperity.

We believe that Romania’s integration into European and

Euro-Atlantic economic, political and security

structures — the principal goal of our foreign policy —

will stimulate our own efforts at democratization and

reform. At the same time, this demonstrates the

Government’s willingness to make a noteworthy

contribution to the achievement of the goals of those

institutions and to the creation of favourable conditions

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for stability and security in Europe as well as peace and

security in the world.

By openly and unequivocally stating its basic interest

in becoming part of the Euro-Atlantic economic, political

and security structures, Romania is in no way neglecting its

relations with its neighbours. Indeed, the furthering of

relations with our neighbours, on a new footing, is a

primary concern.

In this connection I would mention the recent initiative

taken by our President, His Excellency Mr. Ion Iliescu, who

invited Hungary to join in consecrating the historical

reconciliation, on the Franco-German model — a

remarkable example of success in the European spirit.

Romania has solemnly stated its willingness to

undertake all diplomatic steps to move beyond the stage of

purely political statements and to make the notion of

reconciliation a fait accompli. The direct and unconditional

invitation to Hungary to forge, with us, the future of our

nations in a European spirit goes beyond a mere political-

diplomatic step, envisaging as it does the establishment of

a social and political framework based on greater

confidence and more intensive cooperation.

To put it another way, for Romania reconciliation

means a consciously assumed and systematically pursued

process. At the same time, it should constitute for our two

countries the surest way to achieve integration into the main

institutions of the new Europe, thereby contributing to the

consolidation of stability and security in the region and thus

in the rest of the continent.

Romania’s initiative in launching an appeal to

Hungary to enter together into the historical reconciliation

that is so greatly desired is the natural result of a policy of

good-neighbourliness and understanding that Romania has

been constantly pursuing with all its neighbours.

Dialogue and pragmatic cooperation in various areas

of activity with States from all regions of the world is,

moreover, another important direction of our foreign policy.

The disappearance of the iron curtain gave birth to a vast

and complex process of international détente by creating a

genuine framework for dialogue and cooperation between

States.

The renunciation of confrontational policies and the

lessening of the nuclear threat created the conditions for the

indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation

of Nuclear Weapons. We are convinced that that success

will assist the negotiations aimed at the elimination of

other weapons of mass destruction and lead to greater

transparency, both in the area of armaments and in the

area of security guarantees, as well as to a complete ban

on all nuclear tests.

In recent years the United Nations has repeatedly put

forward new concepts and mechanisms regarding

international peace and security and economic and social

development.

In that context, I am grateful for this opportunity to

recall the constant support Romania has given the Middle

East peace process by encouraging the continuation of

dialogue and contacts among the parties concerned. In

recognition of its contribution to the positive results of

that peace process Romania was invited to participate in

the multilateral negotiations on the Middle East. It is

prepared to participate in working groups on regional

economic cooperation, water resources, the environment

and refugees. Totally convinced that reason will prevail

and that the irreversible Middle East peace process must

be supported, in the future also Romania will encourage

and support understanding and cooperation among all the

peoples of the region. We sincerely hope that through the

common efforts of all the parties involved, the United

Nations and the international community, new progress

will be achieved so that a comprehensive solution to the

problems of that region can be found.

The Yugoslav crisis continues to create deep concern

in Romania, given its close proximity to the conflict zone.

Romania has appealed many times to the parties involved

in the conflict to refrain from any action that might lead

to the deterioration of the situation and to halt military

actions and resume negotiations. Faithful to its position of

principle, Romania hails yesterday’s adoption, at the

United States Mission to the United Nations here in New

York, of a joint statement of supplementary principles for

a constitutional settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Romania will actively support any proposal and any

realistic action that will accelerate the pacification process

in the territory of former Yugoslavia, including its

peaceful reconstruction.

The political and military crisis in former Yugoslavia

shows that attempts to achieve ethnic separatism and to

gain territorial autonomy on the basis of ethnic criteria or

to establish ethnic enclaves are not viable solutions. To

the contrary, they may become sources of conflict and

create enormous suffering for the population.

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I should like to reaffirm from this rostrum the

Romanian Government’s decision to continue to strictly

respect the sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of

Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), despite the immense

economic losses to our country. We do hope, nonetheless,

that the competent international institutions will take a more

careful look at the effects of the sanctions on third States

and that they will rigorously and realistically assess the role

sanctions can play in the peace process. We hope that

States that are in a position to do so, international financial

institutions, competent bodies and United Nations

programmes and specialized agencies will all respond to the

General Assembly’s appeal in resolution 49/21 A

concerning economic assistance to States affected by the

implementation of the sanctions against the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). At the

same time, we would be interested in seeing the Security

Council take decisions, in line with the progress achieved

in the political settlement of the crisis, with a view to

lifting the sanctions.

The situation in the eastern area of the Republic of

Moldova is still a source of some tension. We are

convinced that the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops,

whatever their form or denomination, from the territory of

that independent and sovereign State remains the key to the

solution of the conflict in the eastern regions of the

Republic of Moldova. Indeed, we note with satisfaction that

the international community shares that view. We welcome

the agreement reached between the Republic of Moldova

and the Russian Federation on the withdrawal of Russian

troops from the territory of the former country. We view

this as a positive step that can contribute to increased

stability in the area, and we express the hope that this

agreement will become operational.

The United Nations has quite rightly been given a

principal role in designing a new world order, one capable

of responding to the hopes and aspirations of peoples. To

achieve that goal, we believe, the United Nations must

adapt its structures to the requirements of economic

development and must pay increased attention to

harmonizing commercial practices, technical cooperation

and monetary policies of Member States and international

financial institutions.

Recent United Nations activity has been marked by an

important series of summit conferences which have dealt

with topics of major interest to all mankind. These

conferences have emphasized the urgency, the seriousness

and the complexity of the topics they have dealt with and

have expanded the sphere of action of international

consensus regarding programmes throughout the world

related to the environment, population, social

development, human rights and the status of women. We

feel that the United Nations and Member States must

focus their efforts on the ways and means necessary to

implement the decisions adopted by those conferences.

In this sense, I should like to mention the Plan of

Action adopted by the Cairo International Conference on

Population and Development. The usefulness of this

document was reconfirmed at a regional seminar on its

implementation in the countries of Central and Eastern

Europe which was organized recently in Romania in

cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund

(UNFPA). At the same time, I should like to express my

Government’s readiness to organize a similar meeting in

Bucharest next year to consider the progress achieved at

the regional level in implementing the provisions of the

Platform for Action adopted by the World Conference on

Women, held in Beijing.

It is clear that the major global problems taken up

by the United Nations cannot be resolved without

adequate financial support. The unparalleled increase in

the number of major problems brought to the attention of

the United Nations has not been accompanied by an

increase in necessary resources. The United Nations is

today faced with a severe financial crisis. One possible

approach to this crisis should be to consider the more

effective use of available internal resources, the

elimination of duplication in activities, more effective

document control, productive use of human resources,

strict financial monitoring and a permanent process of

cost-benefit analysis.

With regard to the use of resources, peace-keeping

operations deserve special mention. The unprecedented

increase in these operations indicates, among other things,

a more active involvement on the part of the United

Nations in the management of crises and in preventive

diplomacy. This new trend has necessitated an increase in

resources. If we take into account that the great majority

of present conflicts involving United Nations peace-

keeping operations are internal, we have to admit that the

international community has very limited means for

exerting pressure. Continuing ineffective operations does

not serve to achieve the goals of the United Nations

satisfactorily, and consequently the Romanian delegation

supports the trend towards a closer and more rigorous

examination of all decisions related to launching new

peace-keeping operations or continuing existing ones.

39

Romania has made known its interest in limiting and

preventing conflicts in different areas of the globe, not only

by promoting and encouraging the discovery of political

solutions, but also by participating in United Nations peace-

keeping operations in Iraq and Kuwait, in Somalia, in

Rwanda and in Angola. Romania is determined to make a

substantial contribution to such operations and initiatives.

To this end, a special programme has been adopted to

increase our capacity to react adequately to any request

from the United Nations or other bodies while strictly

respecting the principles governing the activities of the

United Nations.

If we look back over the long road the United Nations

has travelled during its half century existence and, in

particular, if we look at the efforts it has made to adapt

itself to the dynamics of international life in the last five

years, we are convinced of the value and the historic

destiny of the United Nations. I should like to assure the

Assembly that Romania, with its dedication to peace, its

desire to cooperate at all levels — bilateral, regional,

multilateral — its firm commitment to protect international

peace and security, its commitment to democratic values

and respect for human rights, is determined to support the

common heritage of values of the United Nations. Our

presence among the Members of the United Nations for 40

years is based on the prestige and the moral authority

which the United Nations enjoys in the eyes of the

Romanian people.

For this reason, we shall, with all our energy and our

available resources, remain committed to the noble duty of

serving the ideas and principles of the Charter of the United

Nations.