Romania

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 11-51681 14 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 15 11-51681 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 11-51681 16 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.