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Albania, Ambassador Ferit Hoxha, “fait accompli” policy, Budapest Memorandum, Crimea, Europe, European Union, Georgia, Helsinki Final Act, instrumentalization of national minorities, international law, international peace, Minsk agreements, peacekeepers, regional peace, Russia, Russian invasion Georgia, Russian invasion Ukraine, Russian troops, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity, UN Charter, UN Security Council, undermining peace and security, weaponization of national minorities
There was another UN Security Council Meeting on Wed. February 23, 2022 (evening). These are earlier speeches. Russia is currently in full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“February 21, 2022 – In Statements By Mission un
Remarks by Ambassador Ferit Hoxha at the Security Council Meeting on Ukraine
Mr. President,
Thank you USG DiCarlo for another clear and comprehensive briefing to the Security Council on this issue.
Albania condemns, in the strongest terms, Russia’s decision to recognize non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine as independent entities.
This is a breach of International Law, an affront to the UN Charter, another blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it puts an end the Minsk Agreements.
This act of the Russian Federation is null and void, has no basis and has no international legal validity. We call on the Security Council and all the United Nations Member States to reject and condemn it firmly.
Albania reiterates its firm position in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
Mr. President,
Less than a week ago, we were sitting in this very room, at the Russian initiative, to discuss the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
Today, we meet at an emergency meeting exactly because of the Russian Federation decision to violate the very Minsk Agreements.
This is a disrespect not only for this Council and its decisions, but for the entire universal principles of international law Russia is set to respect and protect.
The whole world has witnessed how the Russian Federation has continuously worked to undermine the sovereignty of Ukraine and to determine its geopolitical orientation.
What happened today is nothing less but a bis repetita of what we have seen in Georgia in 2008, and with Crimea in 2014: Aggression by fabrication of phantom republics!
Who is next?
Every UN Member State should be alarmed and realize, eyes wide open, the consequences of instrumentalization of national minorities as a weapon to undermine sovereign states, threaten regional and international peace and security.
We should not accept the “Made in Russia” model of destabilization be exported to other parts of Europe or anywhere else.
We reiterate our demand for the removal of the military troops from the Ukrainian border and from the occupied territories of Ukraine, including troops disguised as peacekeepers when they are simply aggressors.
Albania calls on the Russian Federation to stop its “fait accompli” policy, revoke this illegal decision and engage seriously and in good faith with diplomatic talks and give a chance to the Minks Agreements.
Dear Colleagues,
This is yet another critical moment for Ukraine. The UN should remain actively engaged and committed together with regional organizations to the right of the Ukraine people to live in peace and freedom.
We welcome the statement of the Secretary General and echo his call for all relevant actors to prioritize diplomacy to address all issues peacefully, as the only way forward.
“February 23, 2022 – In Statements By Mission un
Remarks by Ambassador Ferit Hoxha at the General Assembly meeting on the situation in Ukraine
Mr. President,
Eight years ago, Russia seized the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol from Ukraine. It was an illegal act, against the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum and International law.
Two days ago, the same country orchestrated the occupation of two other territories of the that same country, Ukraine, which it visibly considers a prey and should not have even the right to exist. It is again an illegal act, against UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Budapest Memorandum and International law.
No other Member of the Security Council has committed such blatant violations of commitment and treaties it has signed since World War II.
Dear Colleagues,
What is happening nowadays in Ukraine follows the same pattern, in a predictable script. It is a continuation of an aggression against a Member of this Assembly. After months of military building up on the Ukrainian border, the decision to recognize non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine as independent entities is a mockery to the rules that govern relations between sovereign states and stands in disrespect of everything, we all stand here for.
It is a further blatant violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it puts to an end the Minsk Agreements, which Russia itself, only a few days ago in the Security Council committed to respect. But, as it has been confirmed, what Russia says, it is not what Russia does.
Dear Colleagues,
Today we find ourselves before a choice: either we defend our shared principles; stand by the UN Charter which is our International Constitution; respect International Law which governs a rules-based world order of a community of nations; or yield to aggression, international bullying and the rule according to which “what is yours is mine”. We should stand firm now, not to have to regret what may further happen tomorrow.
The General Assembly has continuously condemned in clear an unequivocal term the annexation of Crimea. It should condemn this new form of aggression by proliferation of phantom republics, which redraw international borders at one person’s will.
What is unfolding nowadays in Ukraine goes beyond one single country, or even a region. It has to do with core principles of international law and the logic and foundations of international order. We do not think that in the 21st century the future of any country can be build with the laws, behaviors and errors of the past.
Albania strongly condemns Russia’s decision to recognize non-government controlled areas of Ukraine as independent entities as well as any attempts, ideas or hints to export it elsewhere in Russia’s vicinity, in Europe or beyond. It should ring the alarm bell to every UN Member State and we call on the General Assembly to reject and condemn it firmly.
We to reiterate our support to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.
Mr President,
We are very concerned by the decision of Russia to send a so-called “peace-keeping mission” into Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities did not ask for them, the Security Council did not mandate them. They do not go there to keep peace but to exacerbate a conflict. And as the Secretary General Guterres rightly pointed out, this is a perversion of the concept of peacekeeping. Ukraine and the whole Europe will be more secure if Russian troops stay home!
Mr President,
We reiterate our call on Russia for immediate de-escalation and military disengagement. This would prepare the ground for a peaceful settlement of disputes through diplomacy and meaningful dialogue.
We reiterate our call on Russia to reverse its decisions and engage in talks within the Normandy Format and give a chance to the Minsk Agreements.
We will continue to emphasize the value and the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in reaching a peaceful resolution in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and dealing with Russian concerns.
We also welcome the quick and unified reaction by the European Union in coordination with United States, United Kingdom and Canada in adopting a proportionate package of sanctions as an anticipated response to Russia’s decisions and behavior.
Mining Awareness + 