Romania, 2011

At the

outset, allow me to convey my sincere congratulations

to the President on his election to the presidency of the

General Assembly at its sixty-sixth session. I wish him

every success in his endeavours and assure him of the

Romanian delegation’s full support.

Clearly, the theme chosen for this year’s general

debate, “The role of mediation in the settlement of

disputes by peaceful means”, is both wise and topical.

Romania has a strong interest in the topic, given our

long tradition of mediation, as well as the number of

unresolved conflicts in our region. Some conflicts have

persisted for years and even decades and remain

unresolved. Other conflicts have erupted suddenly,

scotching the hopes for a brighter future and for the

development of entire regions.

In the current security environment, mediation

and conflict prevention instruments are highly

important, yet under-utilized. A strengthened legal

foundation for mediation and strengthened mediation

activities of the United Nations and regional and

subregional organizations are necessary, as well as the

increased involvement of Member States in mediation

efforts.

We must continue at all times to be guided by the

fact that mediation for peace and conflict-prevention at

an early stage are much more beneficial than crisis

management and peacekeeping. To that end, we urge

the reporting and periodic evaluation of any and all

conflict situations, anywhere in the world and without

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regard to context, by the Security Council and by all

United Nations Member States.

The protracted conflicts in Eastern Europe

continue to require our undivided attention. We

reiterate the importance of the international

community’s continued involvement with them with a

view to achieving peaceful solutions within the

existing regulatory frameworks. We continue to attach

great importance to dialogue between the parties in

order to achieve mutually acceptable solutions based

on respect for the sovereignty, independence and

territorial integrity of States within their internationally

recognized borders.

In that context, we welcome the opening of

dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, facilitated by

the European Union (EU) following the resolution

adopted in 2010 by the General Assembly (resolution

64/298), and reiterate the central role of the United

Nations and the framework of Security Council

resolution 1244 (1999). Recent problems have yet to be

overcome through cooperation, although the dialogue

remains on track.

We support the Geneva talks co-chaired by the

United Nations, the EU and the Organization for

Security and Cooperation in Europe on the situation in

Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Progress on the

humanitarian situation should not be held hostage to

political setbacks, and urgent solutions are thus

necessary to address that situation.

With regard to Afghanistan, we are witnessing

progress in the Afghan authorities’ gradual takeover of

responsibility in the fields of security, reconstruction

and socio-economic development. We welcome the

steps taken by the Afghan Administration for national

reconciliation. We trust that a rigid framework with

fixed time lines for the transition period is unnecessary.

Instead, the transition process should be tailored

according to the particular realities and conditions

required for the normal functioning of Afghan society.

Romania considers that progress in Afghanistan

also depends on the efforts of the authorities in Kabul

and the continued commitment of the international

community. In that context, we welcome the role and

efforts of the United Nations, other international

organizations and Member States and reaffirm

Romania’s commitment to building democratic

institutions in Afghanistan.

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the valiant

women and men who serve the cause of peace

worldwide. Many of them, including Romanians, have

lost their lives or were wounded on mission. We extend

our deepest gratitude and respect for their sacrifice.

Recently, important statements were issued on the

Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Romania favours a

sustainable peace in the Middle East, and our country

strongly supports the principle of two States — Israel

and Palestine — living together, side by side, in peace

and security. The only viable solution that could be

effectively applied to that case and form the basis of a

global and sustainable peace would be through direct

negotiations. Romania is chairing the Fourth

Committee during this session, and we are ready to

encourage, from that position as well, all diplomatic

efforts aiming at achieving progress in the Israeli-

Palestinian peace process.

This year’s General Assembly session is taking

place under the powerful image of the tremendous

political transformations in North Africa and the

Middle East. Romania warmly welcomes those

transformations. What has become known by now as

the Arab Spring recalls in our minds and hearts the

events that took place more than 20 years ago in our

part of the world. Twenty years later, we are proud of

our accomplishments on the path of democracy-

building. Yet we know, first hand, that the journey is

difficult and sometimes daunting, with many

challenges lying ahead, not the least among them is the

fact that the political forces in those countries must

remain focused on their goals of freedom, democracy

and justice that inspired them at the very beginning.

Therefore, one of Romania’s priorities is to assist

the countries in transition in North Africa and the

Middle East in their democratic quest. Romania is

already supporting democratization in its proximate

regions and beyond. Currently, most of our

development assistance funds are dedicated to building

democratic institutions, consolidating the rule of law

and protecting and promoting human rights and

fundamental freedoms.

In July in Bucharest we convened an international

workshop on electoral and political matters pertaining

to democratic transition. The event was organized in

partnership with the United Nations Development

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Programme, the Electoral Assistance Division of the

United Nations Secretariat in New York and the

Permanent Electoral Authority of Romania. The

workshop was attended by over 40 participants from

Egypt and Tunisia who represented public institutions

involved in organizing elections, the media, civil

society and academic circles and Romanian and

international experts. The seminar focused on sharing

experiences with first electoral cycles in post-

authoritarian regimes as foundational moments for new

democratic societies through credible, transparent and

free elections.

Romania believes that the political

transformations occurring in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and

elsewhere should be endorsed and supported by the

United Nations with all available resources. It is our

collective responsibility to see to it that the proper

conditions for human dignity and prosperity are set up

in all our countries and that progress in the quest for

fundamental freedoms and equal rights for all human

beings is supported. That is part of Romania’s mandate

as a newly elected member in the Human Rights

Council, a mandate we intend to implement in a

constructive, balanced and comprehensive manner.

Although human rights are fundamental rights,

the current situation in the world is far from

satisfactory. Human rights and democracy are universal

values that require our constant attention and

protection against any repressive actions. In that

respect, the legitimate and peaceful demands by the

people of North Africa and Middle East for respect for

their human rights and liberty are emblematic.

We reaffirm our will to act in cooperation with

partners to achieve a global and coherent approach

towards the risks and threats to international peace and

security, particularly those arising from the

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and

conventional weapons. The best way to reduce the risks

of the use of nuclear arms and materials, in particular

by non-State actors, is to irreversibly eliminate nuclear

arsenals and apply a strict framework for

non-proliferation. We support and call on all States to

consider undertaking long-term responsible

involvement in this area and to focus on global security

interests above all.

We are all familiar with the current multilateral

framework that governs non-proliferation, disarmament

and arms control. All treaties and conventions have

proved their usefulness so far. Yet, more is needed so

as to increase the effectively of their implementation

and the degree to which their provisions are observed.

We stand ready to work with others to achieve this key

objective for the global security architecture.

Romania reiterates its commitment to continuing

its active engagement in the preparatory process for the

United Nations Conference on Sustainable

Development. Pursuing an open and transparent

dialogue on the objectives and themes of the

Conference during the current session is one of the

main steps that will help guide our actions.

The Conference will be a unique occasion for the

international community to place humanity on a path

towards sustainable development and the eradication of

poverty, and, in that context, to establish a clear vision

of the green economy. Economic growth and the need

to promote transition towards a green economy must be

considered opportunities to make more with less,

aiming for a higher standard of living and social

equality for all.

Climate change should continue to be a

mobilizing factor despite the obvious obstacles. We

should not let differences and the high complexity of

interests undermine our determination. The

negotiations in Durban, based on the decisions of

Cancún and the Copenhagen Accord, should pave the

way towards a swift adoption of a post-Kyoto global

regime.

A clear and present challenge is that, while we

are trying to set the world on a path of sustainable and

equitable growth, we have to cope with one of the most

severe economic and financial crises of modern times.

The crisis, which still wreaks havoc on international

affairs, has revealed the vulnerabilities of our financial

and economic systems, both national and international.

It has become evident that the world financial system is

not adapted to the realities of global competition.

Indeed, the entire system of economic and financial

governance needs to be revised, and budgets, including

that of the United Nations, need to be kept under strict

control.

In times of crisis, options are limited. We can

dwell in endless debates on “what should have been

done” or “what might have been”. But this is not the

time for such debates; rather, it is the time to act. As

the President of the European Council said the other

day in the Hall, “We act, supporting the forces of hope

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and fighting the causes of worry” (See ).

We stand by this option. Reforms are needed that lead

to the comprehensive observance of good governance

principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as

well as the wise use of available resources. That is the

only option. A country without equal and dignified

citizens can never be rich.