Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept.27 / Trend /
As the member of Security Council and observer to the League of Arab States, Azerbaijan will continue its utmost efforts to that end, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov said during his speech at the UN Security Council high-level meeting on peace and security in the Middle East on Sept.26, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's website reported.
"Today's meeting is taking place in an important period in the sense that the Middle Eastern region experiences historic changes that testifies to the desire and determination of the societies to shape their destiny. The transformation process have yielded encouraging trends towards ensuring respect for human rights and guaranteeing economic and social well-being for everyone. At the same time, there is an obvious need for in-depth analysis into the root causes and eventual implications of this complex process for regional and global security architecture," Mammadyarov said.
According to Mammadyarov, while international response to those developments in the Middle East has varied in its essence and intensity, the primary role in maintaining adequate international reaction belongs to international and regional organizations, particularly to the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
"It should be noted that not all regional organizations may boast of their ability and political will to understand the root causes of security problems and to contribute effectively to their resolution. The League of Arab States has proved to be one of those regional organizations that are able to take the lead in promoting peace, security and stability in its region," he said.
Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan was pleased to see that the cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States was motivated by the common objective of enhancing peace and security and helping the States of the region through this difficult period of their history. Their participation and presence have been instrumental in carrying out important tasks in such areas as conflict prevention and resolution, crisis response and management, fight against terrorism and organized crime.
"Against the background of regional fragilities that go hand in hand with the challenges of the transformations experienced in the region, maintaining high profile and further active involvement by the United Nations and the League of Arab States have acquired increased importance. Therefore, mutually reinforcing cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States has become ever more essential for maintaining peace and security in the region and working out sound strategies to assist the States in transition," he stressed.
According to Mammadyarov, the role of the League of Arab States as an insider to the region is particularly valuable in terms of bringing out the regional specificities to the global scale, and interacting with the United Nations, its specialized agencies and field presences. "The United Nations and the League of Arab States should further galvanize their efforts for the achievement of best results for the States and peoples of the region. In that regard, we commend the appointment of the Joint Special Representative for Syria of the United Nations and the League of Arab States as an important step forward in the cooperation between the two organizations and reiterate our full support for his activity," he said.
Mammadyarov said the international community must continue to be consistent in its efforts to facilitate solutions to regional crises and conflicts based on the norms and principles of international law as well as on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, as required by the UN Charter. "This approach is strongly supported by Azerbaijan with regard to the resolution of protracted conflicts in different parts of the world," he said.
"While recognizing historic opportunities that recent waves of transitions bring about for the Middle East, we should not neglect the long standing security problems, solution to which is no less important prerequisite for maintaining peace, stability and sustainable development in the region," he said.
According to Mammadyarov, all stakeholders in the Middle East should regard the latest developments as a unique chance and an urgent call to make courageous steps for achievement tangible results in the Middle East peace process. "The comprehensive, just and lasting settlement is long overdue in this conflict, which undermines the security, stability and well-being of the entire region, and has an impact that stretches well beyond the regional boundaries. We consider it essential of having cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States on this issue of paramount importance for all of us," he said.
"We cannot but once again express our deep concern over the recent escalation provoked by blasphemy against Islam. We strongly condemn all assaults against religions. At the same time, attacks on civilians, in particular diplomatic personnel, cannot be justified under any circumstances. We truly would like to believe that irrespective of all the challenges and difficulties, the pursuit of peace and progress in the Middle East will never be abandoned, and endeavors of its peoples to build stable, secure and democratic States will be continuously bolstered by the international community," Mammadyarov stressed.
Mammadyarov said in this context, Azerbaijan is confident that the continued engagement by the United Nations and the League of Arab States, and strengthened cooperation between them, consistent with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, will effectively contribute to peace and security in the region.
"In conclusion, I would like to express our full support of the draft Security Council presidential statement, aimed at helping develop effective cooperation between the two organizations," he said.
