Greece

The great challenges and problems, both global and regional, call for urgent and coherent responses. The responsibilities and the role of the United Nations in raising awareness and in providing unity of direction are now greater and more important. That is exactly why compliance with United Nations resolutions should be a top priority for all, including those are elected to represent the Organization and its agencies. I should like to congratulate Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa who was only the third woman in the history of the United Nations to occupy the post of President of this Assembly on her efforts to promote the purpose and principles for which our Organization was founded. I should also like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his tireless efforts to safeguard international peace and security and for his keeping alive the authority and role of the Organization in this area. Greece fully aligns itself with the statement made by the Prime Minister of Portugal on behalf of the European Union. However, we would like to add a few points about the major issues on our agenda for the coming period. The end of the Cold War ushered in a new era in international relations in which the threat of military confrontation between the two power blocs dissipated. However, the world community still faces violent internal conflicts, civil wars, genocide and other large- scale atrocities that cause immense destruction and suffering to millions of people. And yet, conflicts within and between States are not the only threat to international peace and security. New threats and challenges are emerging. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a serious challenge. Organized crime and human trafficking constitute another threat that can have destabilizing effects and fuel civil wars. Extreme poverty in many parts of the world, failing States, large-scale humanitarian disasters, deadly infectious diseases and environmental degradation and catastrophes have devastating consequences. We applaud the Secretary-General’s initiative to hold a high-level event last week to deal with climate change, environmental issues being potentially the greatest threat to our societies. I hope that a global, sustained and comprehensive approach emerges soon to help save our planet, our future, our children’s future. Controlling and coping with climate change is one of the greatest environmental and development challenges. Without swift action to face the problems arising from these challenges, we all risk paying a high and bitter price. We should proceed in a timely manner, through a step-by-step approach, building on national as well as international capacities in order to address the causes, mitigate the effects and create synergies that will allow for specific and measurable results in the near future. A clear indication of the importance Greece attaches to the environment is the fact that the Greek chairmanship of the Human Security Network has decided to focus on climate change and human security. This summer my country suffered enormously from devastating wildfires. May I take this opportunity, while addressing the international community, to express our deep gratitude and thanks to all those countries and friends who have extended to us their invaluable support, help and assistance. Working for peace is not an easy task. The pursuit of international peace and stability, if it is to be successful, means that threats have to be addressed in a comprehensive way and that many conditions have to be met. Unresolved conflicts have to be energetically confronted, while, at the same time, we have to deal with situations of deep-seated injustice, inequality, ongoing violence, social exclusion, extreme poverty, famine, illiteracy and cultural misunderstanding. In addressing the deep-rooted structural problems that fuel conflicts, peacebuilding must bridge security and development. Good governance, the rule of law, strong democratic institutions, respect for human rights and development assistance are critical components in reducing today’s conflicts. Terrorism is undeniably one of the most serious threats to peace and security, menacing the very foundation of our democratic societies, and actions to combat this threat should be in conformity with international human rights standards and fundamental freedoms. The adoption of the Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy by the General Assembly was a major accomplishment, and its full implementation should be an absolute priority for Member States. In this respect, I would like to emphasize the importance that my country attaches to the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for the elaboration of a comprehensive convention against international terrorism; it would be a valuable addition to the counter-terrorism legal framework. In the face of all the threats and challenges that transcend State borders, we need a more comprehensive concept of collective security, one based on respect and justice as requirements for peace and solidarity as a condition for security, and entailing a commitment from all to promote sustainable development. But above all, we need a commitment to collective political action requiring the strengthening of the United Nations. The early, comprehensive and coherent prevention of conflicts lies at the heart of the United Nations mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security. Integrated and long-term strategies to address the root causes of conflict are necessary. The United Nations should therefore be strengthened in its managing, resolving and preventing conflicts and their recurrence. International regional organizations should also be effective in this regard, and international treaties should be respected. The United Nations was created on the basis of the resolve of all States that collective action was the only basis for taking measures to address our common global problems. We only have common values enshrined in the United Nations Charter that guide our efforts and give us direction to unite around what is just and right freedom, democracy, human rights, equality, peaceful resolution of conflicts, respect, multiculturalism, tolerance and open societies, and dialogue among neighbours, nations, religions and cultures. Greece’s foreign and security policy is based precisely on these principles and values. We are committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the upholding of international law, including international humanitarian law, and promoting good neighbourly relations. I deeply regret to note that, 33 years after the Turkish invasion in 1974, the Republic of Cyprus remains a divided island. Turkey continues to occupy part of a United Nations and European Union (EU) Member State with over 40,000 troops, violating United Nations resolutions and international law. Our steadfast objective remains the withdrawal of all occupation troops and the reunification of the island, in the context of a bizonal, bicommunal federation. To this end, the relevant United Nations resolutions and the EU principles and values provide a clear framework for a comprehensive settlement agreed upon by the two communities. Greece has consistently welcomed the United Nations initiatives for finding a just and viable solution to the Cyprus question. In this vein, we strongly support the rapid implementation of the 8 July 2006 agreement, which was reached under United Nations auspices. We shall continue to do everything possible to assist the two communities to find an agreed solution, not least because it would significantly enhance the development of friendship and cooperation between Greece and Turkey. We strongly urge Turkey to demonstrate the necessary will and flexibility towards this direction. Our foreign policy is based on the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. It is in this spirit that we approach our relations with neighbouring Turkey. Greece has taken specific steps and initiatives to continue broadening and strengthening our cooperation with Turkey in all fields. Lately, it has grown even further in the economic field, but also in the energy sector. We believe that a democratic Turkey with a clear European orientation, a Turkey that meets the European criteria and requirements set out in the negotiating framework with the European Union, can be a factor for stability in our part of the world. That is why we support Turkey’s European aspirations. Turkey, however, must concretely demonstrate its unequivocal commitment to the principles of good neighbourly relations and peaceful settlement of disputes with all its neighbours. In any case, from the outset Greece has repeatedly stated that Turkey’s full compliance should lead to full membership. Good neighbourly relations are the cornerstone upon which the countries of South-East Europe must build a common European future of peace, stability and prosperity. The European perspective of the countries of our region has been a strategic choice for Greece. Our vision is to transform our neighbourhood into a region that is like the rest of Europe an area of peace, democracy and prosperity. As the oldest member of the EU and NATO in the region, my country works intensively and constructively to create the necessary conditions of good neighbourliness, mutual understanding and stability in the Balkans. Enhancing regional cooperation, establishing good neighbourly relations and finding mutually acceptable solutions to outstanding issues with neighbouring countries are fundamental prerequisites for further integration of the aspirant countries of South-East Europe into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. Provocative acts and statements with irredentist connotations are incompatible with United Nations principles and common European values. They poison the necessary climate of understanding between our peoples, and they are contrary to the European concept. In this context, Security Council resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), calling for a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, need to be respected in practice by all. Our efforts to secure a truly European future for the Balkans will remain inconclusive if we fail to reach a viable and sustainable settlement for Kosovo’s future status. We remain convinced that this goal can be met only if, first, effective compromises between the two parties are achieved in the course of the ongoing negotiations and, secondly, if the settlement is legitimized through a Security Council resolution. In any case, this is par excellence a European problem, and the role of the European Union in this issue is essential. I cannot think of any conflict that has held the unwavering attention of so many for so long as the one in the Middle East. We are all aware of the multifaceted challenges that we face in this part of the world. And we all agree that the nature of these challenges is such that they affect not only the peoples of the region, but the entire international community. Despite the variances that we observe among us, there is one crucial element that is common to all, and that is the need to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on a two-State solution that will guarantee security, mutual respect and a fair future for all. This is our common goal, and Greece is deeply committed to it. The progress Africa has been making in recent years is both substantial and undeniable. It is characterized by economic growth, crisis management and a will for conflict prevention. The United Nations, deeply involved in peacekeeping and providing developmental assistance, has found in the African Union and the African regional organizations a vital partner for the success of this process. Partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, as well as the African regional organizations, could well be the key to successfully overcoming the challenges facing Africa today. In this context, we welcome the creation of the joint African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), which, by combining forces of the United Nations and of the African Union, shows the way to the future for Darfur and for the continent as a whole. International development cooperation is one of the priorities of Greek foreign policy. Our national development agency, Hellenic Aid, implements the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in the framework set out by the European Union and the principles followed by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, while focusing on our cultural heritage. Our humanitarian and development projects in 46 countries aim at combating poverty, disease, malnutrition, lack of access to drinking water, and dealing with the consequences of natural disasters and conflict situations, while safeguarding the protection of human rights. We strive to address the root causes of illegal immigration, human trafficking and terrorism, since enforcement measures alone are not enough to address those problems. In 2005, Greece allocated $384.22 million to finance actions to the benefit of our partner countries in the developing world. In Africa, development assistance, ranging from humanitarian aid to HIV/AIDS care and refugee programmes, was offered to almost 20 African States. On all the issues I have referred to, my country is committed to assisting the United Nations and to cooperating with all individual Member States in order to achieve peace and prosperity for all peoples of the world.