European leaders at UN call for stronger political action to tackle terrorism, end Syrian crisis

While political dialogue and multilateral negotiations might be tedious processes, they are nevertheless the surest way to secure lasting solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, the Prime Minister of Belgium said today, joining other European leaders at the United Nations today calling for broad-based diplomatic action to end five years of chaos and bloodshed in Syria.

“We must admit that thus far, the situation in Syria is a failure of the international community,” Belgium’s Charles Michel said in his address to the General Assembly’s annual general debate, referring to Syria as a country of “blood and war” and “unspeakable suffering,” and which is driving countless people to seek refuge elsewhere.

“We cannot allow this chaos to serve geo-strategic interests, which are in fact, greatly removed from the Syrians and their future,” he said, adding: “Neither can we allow the bloodthirsty stubbornness of a single man be an obstacle to a political solution and peace. He said that Belgium supported the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and called on all permanent members of the UN Security Council to assume their responsibility in ending the conflict.

He went on to note that Da’esh [also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL], as well as Boko Haram, Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups were driving “a new era” of barbarism and fanaticism. “My country, like many others, has been hit, tragically, in March,” he recalled, declaring that the war against terrorism must be persistent and comprehensive.

Expressing support for the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, Prime Minister Michel called for a reshaping of the relevant UN architecture to bolster international counter-terrorism tools while also enhancing information sharing.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventy-first session. UN Photo/Cia Pak

In his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, said the Syria’s Government is perpetrating atrocities, while Da’esh and other groups commit equally “abominable crimes” and flourish from the war economy and external support. A generation of children has been traumatized, deprived of protection and education, he said, calling for perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity to be brought to justice, including before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The toll is terrible,” he continued, noting that the UN estimates that some 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict, while there have also been reports of chemical warfare and humanitarian convoys are being deliberately targeted. He called on Syrian authorities to ensure safe an unhindered access to all people in the country. While he hailed the repeated efforts of the United States and Russia to secure a ceasefire, the deal has proved fragile and must be fully enforced.

Calling for a resolution of the conflict that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, Mr. Bettel said the UN must play a determining role in facilitating negotiations among the Syrian parties to bring about a lasting solution.

Foreign Minister Margot Wallström of Sweden addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventy-first session. UN Photo/Manuel Elias

At the same time, Margot Wallström, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said: “Security is something we must build together. Security is something we share. This notion compels us to contest the false logic of confrontation and geopolitical zero-sum games. Instead, it leads us to emphasise de-escalation and disarmament, mediation and dialogue, conflict prevention and peacebuilding.”

This is a cornerstone of Swedish security policy, she said, adding that this is her country’s basic approach to security, both in the region and farther afield. “Indeed, the importance of cooperation increases with the transboundary nature of threats. Internal and external security are more interlinked than ever before,” and as such, the international community must improve its common tools for crisis management.

“Equip the next generation of peace operations with more robust mandates and proper resources. Strengthen cooperation between UN and regional organisations, including the European Union and the African Union. But we cannot ignore the key to achieving peace: political will. Leaders have a huge responsibility to turn the tide and realize the benefits of peace,” she said.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó of Hungary addresses the general debate of the General Assembly’s seventy-first session. UN Photo/Manuel Elias

For his part, Péter Szijjártó, Foreign Minister of Hungary, emphasized the spread of terrorism worldwide, the persistence of certain conflicts and mass movements of refugees and migrants are leading to increased security challenges worldwide. As such, he called for the elimination of the main actors of global terrorism, particularly Da’esh. Combating that group would most certainly help put end to the refugee crisis in Europe.

The Foreign Minister also urged Member States to do everything to disrupt and destroy the "economic model" of migrant smugglers and human traffickers. In this regard, the Parliament has adopted specific measures to punish the traffickers and limit their activities. In the meantime, he called on Member States to act together to end the conflicts that drive migrants from their homes.

On how to deal with mass movements of refugees and migrants, Mr. Szijjártó called for respect for international law, which does not, in his view, give migrants the right to choose the country they wish to live in. He also rejected any migration policy “that considers every migrant is a refugee" or "forcing countries to accept refugees against their will.”

“We will not allow our borders to be violated,” he stressed, adding that the unregulated mass migration and uncontrolled contributed to the passage of terrorists. Conversely, he stressed effort to “help people to stay as close to home as possible,” so that they could return to their country of origin once conditions permit.