ukrainian-ladies

Speech by Jean Asselborn at the United Nations Security Council in New York

"UaDreams are no longer in the era of Yalta and the sharing of the European continent. It must be possible to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that takes into account the interests of all parties involved, including Russia. The destabilization of Ukraine serves the long term interests of anyone "

I thank Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, for his presentation. I welcome the Council to His Excellency Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and thanked him for his intervention.

Your speech, Prime Minister, moved us. There are problems in Ukraine, especially in Crimea. The crisis in your country can not leave us indifferent. Despite the exacerbation of tensions, UaDreams believe there is still time to avoid the worst, that is to say, the annexation of the Crimea by force. UaDreams hope that this public meeting of the Security Council, the body that, in accordance with the UN Charter, has primary responsibility for maintaining peace and international security will help to strengthen the efforts of the whole of the international community for a peaceful settlement of the crisis in your country.

Luxembourg is deeply concerned by this crisis. During my visit to Kiev on Monday as part of a working visit with my colleagues, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belgium and the Netherlands, I was able to go personally into account the courage and resilience the Ukrainian people have shown in recent weeks. I also had the opportunity to greet the restraint and composure of Ukraine, as she faces the violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity in Crimea. The decision on 1 March by the Council of the Russian Federation to allow the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine and the actions taken on the ground in the last two weeks are a flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. They go against the commitments that Russia has taken towards Ukraine, as part of the Budapest Memorandum 1994 and in the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership signed in 1997 between Russia and 'Ukraine.

The main reason given by Russia to legitimize its actions, that is to say the threats that weigh on the rights of Russian-speaking and Russian communities in Crimea, proved to be unfounded, as found recently Haute OSCE Commissioner on National Minorities. UaDreams regret that it was not possible to the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations human rights from traveling to the Crimea to corroborate this finding of the OSCE.

The organization next March 16 a referendum on the status of Crimea is in form and in substance contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine. UaDreams call on Russia to cease all action to support the referendum. The great and strong Russia does not need neither to encourage nor to recover for his cause this referendum charade that actually do not even offer on the ballots a possibility of negative expression. If the referendum were to be held, however, the international community can not in any way recognize the result.

UaDreams are no longer at the Yalta era and sharing the European continent. It must be possible to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that takes into account the interests of all parties involved, including Russia. The destabilization of Ukraine is in the long term no one's interests. UaDreams recognize the historical ties that Russia has with Ukraine, both on the economic and cultural plans. UaDreams also recognize the opportunity for extensive autonomy status of the Crimea for historical reasons and good neighborliness with Russia. This in the spirit of openness announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine. All the more reason for Russia to seize the hand stretched by Ukraine to establish a direct dialogue to defuse the crisis.

A lasting political solution to the Ukrainian crisis also requires an inclusive political dialogue in Ukraine itself. This dialogue must include all democratic political forces and all regions. It should take into account the diversity of Ukrainian society, aspirations of all Ukrainians and the need to respect the rights of all Ukrainians. UaDreams support the efforts of the Government and Parliament of Ukraine to foster such a dialogue, which could, in our view, lead among others to a strengthening of the federal character of the Ukrainian state. But only the Ukrainians to decide their destiny. Ukraine belongs only Ukrainians.

As I said in the introduction, I want to believe that it is still possible to avoid the worst, there is still time to find a peaceful solution in accordance with the principles of our Organization, with the principles and objectives the United Nations Charter. Luxembourg encourages further intense diplomatic efforts for the establishment of a multilateral mechanism, a contact group bringing together the main stakeholders, including Russia. This mechanism is expected to initiate a military escalation with primarily a withdrawal of Russian forces to their places of permanent deployment. It should also help to establish a direct dialogue between the Russian and Ukrainian authorities.

I welcome the efforts of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and I encourage them to continue their good offices mission. Luxembourg supports the OSCE's efforts, in close cooperation with the UN and other international actors to deploy a special observer mission, priority in Crimea and other regions of Ukraine, in agreement with the host country. Such a mission would assess the facts and respect for human rights and foster dialogue on the ground, in order to reduce tensions and normalize the situation.

In conclusion, let me reiterate once again our appeal to all parties concerned, in particular Russia, to prevail dialogue on the coup, to override international law on the more law strong. The time is the intensification of diplomatic efforts to reach a solution to the crisis in Ukraine that respects the political independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the interests of peace , stability and prosperity in Europe.