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Mr. President,
Resolution 2118, adopted this evening, is a landmark in the Syrian conflict. By reuniting behind the common cause of international peace and security, the Security Council has again proved that it is effective and responsive.
We thank Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for taking personal interest and for persisting in efforts aimed at forging consensus on a difficult issue. Co-sponsorship of the resolution by all fifteen member States is a clear manifestation that the Security Council has assumed ownership of implementation of the decision taken by the Executive Council of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague earlier today.
Mr. President,
The issue of chemical weapons has long enjoyed virtual consensus in the international community. Its use has been universally condemned. The Chemical Weapons Convention retains the primary responsibility for elimination of these heinous weapons. Security Council decision today is meant to augment and implement the OPCW decision. Non-implementation could lead to serious consequences.
It is our earnest hope, Mr. President, that the spirit of cooperation and this new found unity in the Council would be maintained. This is just the first step. The Council has to navigate difficult waters. Our focus should be the people of Syria. Their suffering must end. Any action that we take in this forum should keep the people of Syria at the centre. Elimination of chemical weapons in the country is important. But it is not the remedy of all the other problems plaguing this unfortunate country. Killings have to stop. More than 100,000 people have already lost their lives. Political solution remains the only viable option. It is time to move back to Geneva.
Adopted in June 2012, Geneva Communiqué clearly delineates the process for a transition acceptable to the Syrian people. It calls for establishment of a transitional authority “with full executive powers”. The resolution adopted today also outlines a similar process. All the ingredients for resolution of the conflict are already contained in the Geneva Communique. It is therefore imperative that it is implemented in letter and spirit.
The announcement regarding convening of Geneva-II by mid November is another manifestation of the sense of urgency to initiate a political process aimed at ending the conflict, national reconciliation and fulfillment of legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. This road is not going to be easy. There is no military solution to the situation in Syria. Arms will only aggravate violence and suffering.
Mr. President,
We have to move beyond differences on interpretation of the Geneva Communique, and pursue the political process with unity of purpose. We urge all sides in the Syrian conflict to fully utilize this opportunity and work towards dialogue and diplomacy. Although it is indeed already too late for over a hundred thousand Syrians, there is still time for millions more whose safety and security is at risk. This, Mr. President, should remain foremost in our minds.
I thank you