«Placing the UN at the heart of international efforts to resolve the conflicts and counter the terrorist threat in the Middle East and North Africa - A Swiss commitment»
Bern, 30.09.2015 - New York, 30.09.2015 – Address by the Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter on the occasion of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (Security Council: Open Debate, Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Settlement of Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and Countering the Terrorist Threat in the Region) - Check against delivery
Mr President,
I thank the Russian Presidency for convening today’s open debate.
The ever-growing scale of instability and human suffering in the Middle East is a major concern to Switzerland. Both the massive movements of refugees and the spread of transnational terrorism underline the imperative of rapid and resolute action. This includes increased humanitarian aid. But the key is to resolve the violent conflicts that have thrown the region into chaos. Political blockades have prevented progress towards peace for far too long already. It is time to act.
Syria needs our help. There is a need for a national dialogue to prepare the ground for ending the deadly war between the government in Damascus and the opposition. Switzerland strongly supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy de Mistura to foster parallel thematic discussions through intra-Syrian working groups set up to address the principal aspects of the Geneva Communiqué of 2012.
Switzerland has vigorously supported the UN in seeking a political solution to the Syrian tragedy from the start. We will continue to do so until peace has been accomplished, by placing experts, logistics and financial resources at the UN’s disposal, depending on needs. The United Nations can count on Switzerland. We urge Syrians to seize this opportunity and participate in these working groups.
We also call for the rapid formation of an international Contact Group to support the search for a political solution. To ensure the stabilisation of Syria, all regional and international stakeholders share a responsibility to sit at the same table and talk. Switzerland welcomes the increased diplomatic efforts to find common ground. Now is the time to move from maximalist positions to compromise.
The only way forward to peace is through inclusive dialogue, including with the Syrian government, to define the parameters of a managed transition. This will be a difficult process. Given the enormous sacrifices required, the parties to the conflict will be confronted with tough choices on the road to compromise. A sustainable solution can only be reached if all sides genuinely work towards peace. The millions of men, women, and children who are suffering from this dreadful war deserve such genuine effort.
Mr. President
Inclusive dialogue and power-sharing arrangements are not just vital for Syria but also major elements of efforts to render Iraq more stable and resolve the conflicts in Yemen and Libya. As a country with a tradition of multi-party government, we are willing to bring in our expertise where required. We are ready to facilitate any further talks in Geneva and to support respective efforts by the UN.
Let me conclude with a few remarks on the challenge of countering the terrorist threat in the MENA region. Terrorist groups like the so-called Islamic State cannot be part of any political solution to the conflicts I have mentioned. Conversely, resolving these conflicts will help weaken the terrorist groups.
Again, Switzerland attributes a key role to the UN in countering terrorism. We are concerned about the seeming competition between different military operations in Syria and ask the Security Council to act upon its responsibilities in leading efforts to counter terrorism and to restore peace and stability in Syria.
We also welcome the announcement by the Secretary-General to come forward with a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism later this year. Military force and law enforcement measures alone cannot defeat terrorism. We need to make people resistant to the demagoguery of terrorists. This requires a comprehensive approach linking the fields of peace and security, development, and human rights. No individual or entity is better placed to provide guidance on this than the UN.
Thank you, Mr President.
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