Republic of Moldova
H. E. Mr. Andrei Stratan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration
29 September 2008
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ANDREI STRATAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, said a strong, effective and reformed United Nations was needed to address global crises and threats to peace and security, including those related to disarmament and non-proliferation, climate change, food insecurity and terrorism, while strengthening international law and ensuring respect of human rights. Moldova supported the organizational reform process as reflected in the outcome of the 2005 World Summit.
He also supported the strengthening of the Economic and Social Council's role in the world in helping Governments attain the Millennium Development Goals, address humanitarian crises and issues related to post-conflict reconstruction. The launch of intergovernmental negotiations would push the reform of the Security Council and increase the United Nations' efficiency in international security, peacekeeping and in helping Member States find solutions to conflicts.
"Frozen conflicts", like those that had sparked recent events in South Ossetia, Georgia, created instability and threatened regional and international security. He called for the United Nations to take a more direct approach in preventing and managing crisis and conflict situations, as well as the humanitarian fallout which resulted from them. That was of paramount importance to Moldova as it faced such a "frozen" conflict in the eastern regions of its country. He called for the full implementation of the peace plan mediated by the European Union on South Ossetia on 8 August.
Moldova rejected all methods of dispute settlement by force, and did not believe the international recognition of Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia would stabilize the situation. The Moldovan Government's attitude towards South Ossetia and Abkhazia would be guided only by the Helsinki Final Act, the United Nations Charter and all current principles of international law, he said.
On the Transnistrian conflict, he said Moldova continued to adhere to laws which provided for the resolution of the conflict by political means. The demilitarization and democratization of the Transnistrian region was essential to a resolution. The Moldovan authorities were concerned by the creation of necessary conditions to move forward the settlement process. The President of Moldova had advanced a number of initiatives to promote peace between both banks of the Nistru River.
European Union assistance at the border of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine had contributed to increased security and transparency in that region, and had created a more favourable atmosphere for the settlement process of the Transnistrian conflict. He said terrorism was still a threat that could only be overcome through joint firm actions of the International Community, and reaffirmed Moldova's commitment to counter terrorism. Moldova would undertake all possible steps to contribute to the United Nations' actions in consolidating international legislation in countering terrorism.