Address by the President of the Republic of Serbia at the UN General Assembly

"Mr President, Mr Secretary-General, Excellences, ladies and gentlemen,

 

It is my great honor to address you today on behalf of the Republic of Serbia as we mark the 75th anniversary since the establishment of the United Nations.

 

This important anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to multilateralism and principles that we are all subscribed to be signing the Charter of the United Nations 75 years ago.

 

We take pride in the fact that Yugoslavia – whose successor the Republic of Serbia is – was among the first fifty signatories of the Charter, is one of the founding members of this international organization which has been active for more than seven decades, serving as a universal platform for dialogue on an equal footing and playing a key role in the maintenance of peace and stability, human rights protection and creating conditions for economic development across the globe.

 

One should not be surprised by a fact that Serbian people and their diplomatic representatives had actively participated in all international efforts that led to creation of the United Nations, as they strived towards peace among the nations.

 

The Republic of Serbia remains firmly committed to the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter, which are as relevant today as they were at the time of its adoption.

 

We mark this anniversary of the United Nations at the time when the whole world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, a challenge which has affected the entire planet, putting to test our readiness to act jointly, but at the same time reaffirming that the UN is as needed today as it was when it was founded, and that its relevance cannot be questioned.

 

We are deeply convinced that only through mutual cooperation, coordinated (coordination?) and respect, can we muster up a global response to combat this menace.

 

Excellences,

 

The Charter of the United Nations should be a constitution of the modern international community, and a collection of fundamental principles and tenets regulating international relations and processes within the international community.

 

Regrettably, at the very end of the 20th century, we in the Republic of Serbia experienced unilateral measures and actions that undermined and challenged the efficiency of multilateralism and international cooperation mechanisms and international law itself.

 

The provisional institutions in Priština declared independence of the so-called Kosovo in a unilateral act and breached the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, thus seriously undermining the stability of both – the Republic of Serbia and the region as a whole.

 

I would like to recall that the Republic of Serbia is fully committed to finding a compromise solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia has pursued a responsible policy in its best effort to safeguard the interest of its people and of regional peace and stability.

 

By defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect for the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Republic of Serbia is also defending international law, the UN Charter, and the ultimate authority of the Security Council.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Today we face a global wake-up call to join forces and unlock a new, brighter vision of a better and more prosperous, safe and stabile world that leaves no one behind.

 

Once again, thank you for your attention."