Mr. President,
We support the statement by the delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Cuba is firmly committed to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prevention of conflicts through mediation.
The most effective way in which the Security Council of the United Nations can support mediation as a means for the peaceful settlement of disputes is to ensure that it is carried out in full respect of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations, and of the principles of sovereignty, non- use or threat of use of force, territorial integrity, political independence and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
Our country notes with concern the growing tendency of the Security Council to excessively and quickly invoke Chapter VII of the Charter; when war, confrontation, hostility and sanctions have never been or will ever be the way to preserve international peace and security.
It is regrettable that the Security Council makes rapid recourse to the provisions of Articles 41 and 42 of the Charter, without having fully exhausted the other options, including those provided for in Chapter VI and without considering their consequences, including short and long-term effects of the imposition of sanctions, in particular for political processes aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement of disputes.
The experiences and precedents created from recent cases, in which the manipulation of the Charter of the United Nations, double standards and the flagrant violation of International Law have been demonstrated, and show that when there is no good faith, impartiality and respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of a nation, it is not possible to conduct an objective mediation.
Neither a mechanism for the peaceful settlement of disputes, including mediation, will be effective while some States continue to use or threaten to use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of others; or while imposing preconceived global formulas. Each situation must be managed according to its specific characteristics. Mediation cannot automatically be considered as the most appropriate method in all cases.
Mr. President,
In Cuba's opinion, for a mediation to be credible and effective, it also requires the willfulness and consent of the parties in a particular conflict or dispute, the impartiality of the mediators, the fulfillment by them of the mandates agreed upon, respect for the national sovereignty, compliance with State obligations and operational preparedness, including substantive and procedural expertise by mediators.
In this regard, we emphasize the particular role that the Charter entrusts to the Secretary General in the field of good offices and mediation; while recognizing that the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prevention of conflicts and their resolution, in particular through mediation, in accordance with the Charter and International Law, remain a primary responsibility of the Member States.
We appreciate the efforts of the Secretary-General to continue strengthening the mediation support capacities of the United Nations, in accordance with the mandates agreed upon.
However, the role to be assigned to non-governmental organizations, civil society and other entities, as mediation support agents and in relation to the prevention of conflicts, must be carefully and case-by-case evaluated, given that it has been shown that in several conflicts, they have pursued foreign agendas and lacked impartiality and good faith.
Mr. President,
Mediation as one of the methods for the peaceful settlement of disputes provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations can and has proven to be effective in certain situations.
The Peace Agreements reached by the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC, Spanish abbreviation) in Havana in 2016, which put an end to more than five decades of armed conflict, are an example of this.
Preserving and implementing these peace agreements is now the responsibility not only of the parties, but also of the international community and this Security Council.
Cuba will continue to contribute as much as possible, with modesty, discretion and deep respect for the positions of the parties and their request, with the efforts to achieve a stable and lasting peace in Colombia.
Thank you so much.