Participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu in the UN Security Council Open Debate on Ukraine, Held on the Margins of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York
Romania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Type: Press release
Date: 09/25/23
Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu participated on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, in New York at the UN Security Council's high-level open debate on peace and security in Ukraine. The summit, attended by a significant number of world leaders, was hosted by Albania, which holds the Presidency of the Security Council in September 2023.
On this occasion, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Romania's firm condemnation of the illegal military aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation, a permanent member of the Security Council, which is the guarantor of international peace and security.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminița Odobescu reaffirmed Romania's active role at the UN as a supporter of effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order, as well as an actor committed to strengthening the international security and countering the negative impact of the consequences of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine.
At the same time, she underlined that the war of aggression unleashed by the Russian Federation constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles and norms of international law, enshrined in the UN Charter and has caused a serious crisis with multiple consequences and global reach, including in terms of food, energy, economic security and environmental protection.
On this occasion, she reaffirmed her support for the Peace Formula proposed by President Zelenski and for the diplomatic efforts to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Romania's firm support for the identification of appropriate and effective legal solutions to hold accountable those responsible for the crime of aggression committed in the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine.
She also informed on the constant and comprehensive support that Romania will continue to provide to the Republic of Moldova, which is severely affected by the Russian military aggression in Ukraine.
The speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the UN Security Council is available here: https://www.mae.ro/node/62890
The transcript of the Minister of Foreign Affairs' speech is available below:
Mr. President,
I commend the Albanian Presidency of the Security Council for organizing this significant high-level open debate on the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.
As neighbouring country of Ukraine, I would like to share some perspectives, after more than a year and a half since the Russian Federation's unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression towards Ukraine has started. The Russian Federation, a permanent member of the Security Council, generated and prolongs the gravest international crisis of multilateralism since the end of the Second World War. It undermines the UN Charter and everything the UN stands for.
Today we stand with the UN Charter and international law and reiterate that there is only one way to end the aggression. The Russian Federation needs to cease the use of force and withdraw completely and immediately from the territory of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.
Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected by all UN member states.
But peace in Ukraine cannot be restored by inaction. Romania fully supports the Ukrainian Peace Formula, as the single framework conducive to a fair, lasting and sustainable peace. A peace that does not reward the aggressor.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This illegal war is affecting both our region and, as you know, the entire world. It is severely affecting the security in the wider Black Sea area. Recently, fragments of Russian drones were found on our territory, in the proximity of the Romanian-Ukrainian border, generating high risks for the inhabitants of those areas.
It is challenging the resilience of neighbouring states, such as Republic of Moldova, the most affected state by this war, except Ukraine itself.
But the impact of the war of aggression against Ukraine remains also a matter of concern for all UN member states. It has consequences of global proportions, especially on food security, energy and economic stability.
By terminating the Black Sea Grain Initiative and by attacking Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea and on the Danube River, just across the territory of Romania, the Russian Federation further intensifies the global food crisis.
Romania remains committed to supporting global efforts on food security. So far, we have facilitated the transit of more than 25,5 million tons of Ukrainian grains. With the winter approaching again, we will raise to the expectations of those vulnerable once again.
Since the first day of this war of aggression, the Government and population of Romania acted as first-responders in providing for and helped around 6 million Ukrainians that crossed our borders and looked for shelter in our country.
Mr. President,
Romania strongly supports the efforts to seek accountability for all crimes committed against Ukraine, including the crimes of aggression. There should be no impunity for those responsible for atrocities in Ukraine.
This is another aspect of the comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The crisis we face today requires enhanced cooperation and common solutions. It is now when global action for Ukraine and for defending rules-based international order becomes even more relevant. And it is now when we need an effective UN reform, starting with this very body entrusted with maintenance of international peace and security. We must avoid fatigue and grow even more united and resolute in defending and upholding our values, and international peace and security, starting with a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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