Statement by Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the high-level thematic debate of General Assembly of the United Nations on the theme of “Maintenance of international peace and security” in commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations

New York, October 1, 2015

Mr. President, 

Since the establishment of the United Nations, significant achievements have been attained in practical implementation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. 

Throughout this period, the international security environment has changed considerably. Threats have become more complex and interlinked, the line between traditional and emerging challenges has become blurred. The balance of power in international relations has also shifted. What we also observe is that the principles of the UN Charter guiding inter-State relations are being misinterpreted or implemented with reservations, if not neglected at all, while some of them are being referred to cover up unlawful actions: the threat or use of force, territorial acquisitions, and forcible population displacement. Double standards in application of the principles contribute to instability, stalemate in conflict settlement processes and have the potential to escalate the situation.

The deterioration of the security throughout the world especially during the past two decades has increased human sufferings. This has also drained huge resources from the United Nations, which is evident from the significant increase in its peacekeeping activities. Therefore, there is a need for more proactive efforts by the UN in conflict prevention, mediation and peace building. 

We regard the ensuring coherence and balance among core functions of the United Nations as a key prerequisite for realization of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. In international relations, States should make efforts to maintain international peace and security to enable conditions for sustainable development and cooperation and promoting respect for human rights. The vast majority of human rights violations are directly or indirectly related to armed conflicts and blatant disregard of the norms and principles governing inter-State relations. Therefore, it would be appropriate if the United Nations had a reinvigorated approach to addressing international security with the similar perseverance and energy as it rightly embraces on the development agenda. Probably, we might consider the idea of setting tangible security goals to improve collective measures on prevention, removing and suppression of aggressions against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, terrorism, violent extremism and other threats to the peace.

In this regard, I would like to specifically refer to the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia’s destructive policy represents a serious challenge to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and to the Organization as a whole. Armenia continues to use force against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another Member State and occupy its territories, to enjoy impunity for mass atrocities against the Azerbaijani civilians, to consolidate the current status quo of the occupation, to disregard the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and to disrupt any attempt to settle the conflict by peaceful means on the basis of international law. For more than twenty years, Azerbaijan has been waiting for effective international actions with respect to Armenia’s grave breach of peace and act of aggression.

Thank you.