EU High Representative Josep Borrell at the annual UN Security Council gave a speech in New York at the annual Security Council where he painted a dark picture about the present situation in the world.
« The the state of the world today is deeply worrying. But it could be worse if we did not have the United Nations which, through its Charter, remains an unsinkable compass for our humanity confronted with the surge of passions, torrents of blood, and rivers of hatred which destroy any semblance of reason around the world. Yes, the United Nations remains a landmark in the turmoil. It is a lantern in the thick fog through which we search our way every day, trying to look for a solution. The United Nations is a ray of light, it is a sign of hope.”- High Representative said.
The hope UN can bring according to Josep Borrell is the Summit of the Future. The Summit of the Future should be a moment to reform the United Nations Security Council, to enlarge its composition in order to reflect better the world of today, to reform the international financial institutions, moving from some billions to the many trillions needed.
Mr. Borrell also talked about the war in Ukraine. « Since the beginning of this war, which is an attack on the United Nations’ Charter, the European Union has shown its full solidarity with Ukraine and granting [it] exceptional economic, financial and military aid. The European Union has demonstrated a remarkable unity and an ability to make Europe an active and structured power in the international system. This support, symbolised by our commitment to make Ukraine a member of the European Union, will continue. Because it is not simply a matter of preserving a fundamental principle of international law – which is the territorial integrity of sovereign states – it also reflects Europeans’ determination to protect ourselves against the danger that Russia now represents for our peace and security.– he said.
Talking about Gaza Mr. Borrell pointed out that Gaza is just the tip of an extraordinarily serious conflict that has been raging between Israelis and Palestinians for almost a century. It is the one Hundred Years War.
« I do not want to teach anyone of you about what is happening in Gaza. More than 30,000 people dead, 1.8 million [people] displaced, and 500.000 people on the brink of starvation. We are facing now a population fighting for their own survival. Humanitarian assistance needs to get into Gaza, and the European Union is working as much as we can in order to make it possible. But this is a humanitarian crisis which is not a natural disaster. It is not a flood. It is not an earthquake. It is man-made.
And when we look for alternative ways of providing support – by sea or by air – we have to remind that we have to do it because the natural way of providing support through roads is being closed, artificially closed. And starvation is being used as a weapon of war. » -High Representative said.
After Gaza, he turned towards Africa: « In 25 years from now, 25% of the world population will be living in Africa. One out of four human beings will be living in Africa, a continent of opportunities where humankind will still be growing. But in order to harvest this potential, they need security. They need stability.This is why we are working with the African Union, supporting the African-led peace support operations. I know this is a priority for the United Nations Security Council and I welcome the resolution 2719 on financing such peace support operations. In the last three years, we have provided almost €1 billion in military support to African partners. €1 billion in three years to support, through the European Peace Facility, our African partners.” – he said.
