S T A T E M E N T
by
H.E. Mr. Goran SVILANOVIC, Federal Minister for
Foreign Affairs
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, at the 31st
Session of the General Conference
of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation
Paris, 18 October 2001
Mr. President,
Mr. Director-General, Excellencies
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am addressing you here today for the first
time since the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was
readmitted to UNESCO, convinced that my country is
ready to make full contribution to the principles and
purposes on which the Organisation was based. With the
assistance of UNESCO, we are all striving to build a
world in which the dignity of all Members and peoples,
mutual understanding and respect, interaction between
their cultural and spiritual values as well as solidarity
among them will be the fundamental values marking the
21st century. At the same time, we are aware of the
high complexity of the present political relations in the
world. Therefore, we believe that science, education
and culture could be essential bonds in a multi-faceted
cooperation and communications among all states in the
world, thus at least fulfilling some of the hopes and
aspirations of millions of people.
In this respect, the Yugoslav delegation stands
ready to cooperate fully with UNESCO and with other
countries in the implementation of the Organisation's
programmes. With this in mind, we have presented our
candidature for membership of the Executive Board.
This is my country's first candidature for a seat in a
body within the UN system since it was reintegrated
into international organisations. If we get your
confidence, we shall seek, in our overall activity, to
demonstrate our full commitment to the noble goals that
UNESCO stands for.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank Mrs.
Sonia Mendietae de Badaroux, President of the
UNESCO Executive Board, for the warm words
addressed at the opening of the General Conference to
my country.
Mr. President,
This General Conference coincides with the efforts
the international community is making to prevent and
combat terrorism. This time, I should like to reiterate
our condemnation of the unprecedented terrorist attacks
on the United States of America, to confirm our full
support for the anti-terrorism coalition and to express
once again our deepest condolences to the Government
and people of the United States of America. My
Government fully supports the recently adopted UN
Security Council resolutions 1368 and 1373 as well as
UN General Assembly resolution 56/1. Terrorism poses
a threat to international peace and security, and we
believe that all states should take measures to bring the
perpetrators, instigators and sponsors of such acts of
terror to justice.
In this context, the role of the United Nations is
central. We share the opinion of the Secretary-General
who, in his recent statement, said that "the United
Nations must provide a framework of shared values and
understanding, within which their free and voluntary
efforts can interact and reinforce each other instead of
getting in each other's way".
Regrettably, terrorists and terrorism are present in
the region of South Eastern Europe. In fact, terrorism is
closely connected with transnational organized crime,
human and drug trafficking, money laundering and other
similar crimes. This is seriously affecting the stability
of South East Europe as a whole. Evidently, there is a
need to enhance coordination and cooperation at the
subregional and regional levels in order to face this
challenge.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I cannot but use this opportunity to highlight the
problems of protection of the cultural heritage in Kosovo
and Metohija province which has been administered by
the United Nations since June 1999. Over the last two
years more than a hundred places of enormous historic
and civilisational values have been destroyed there,
despite the clearly worded provisions and a
commitment to implement the 1954 Hague Convention
on the protection of cultural sites in case of a military
conflict. There is an urgent need for assistance to
prepare a plan of action to protect from further
degradation medieval cultural and architectural sites
and to rehabilitate them. It is also hoped that UNESCO
will soon complete the initiated process and include in
its list of world cultural heritage some of the sites in
Kosovo and Metohija such as the monasteries De~ani
and Gracanica.
Not so long ago, UNESCO strongly supported the
restoration of the education system in the Albanian
language in Kosovo and Metohija. Similarly, we expect
UNESCO to help restore the Serbian-language
education there, as well as to recognize the need for
repairs to schools in numerous Serbian enclaves in
Kosovo and Metohija.
Mr. President,
In order to ensure a lasting peace in South-East
Europe, it is necessary, in our opinion, to contemplate a
regional approach through a reaffirmation of the
principles of the Helsinki Charter, namely inviolability
of borders, but also through the resolution of substantive
issues such as the issue of minorities. Such a political
programme needs to be followed by cooperation in
science, culture, education and information.
Education for all must be the priority of
cooperation among the countries of South-East Europe.
It will not resolve problems in the region of its own
accord, but it is certainly part of a long-term solution
through promotion of democracy and human rights.
By its history, culture and civilisation, the region
to which my country belongs has an important place
within UNESCO's programmes. It is a region for which
UNESCO should devise an even more coherent and
systematic strategy. Cooperation among the interested
Member States could be improved with the assistance
of other international organisations and UNESCO, with
a view to developing a unique regional cultural identity
based on their close historical and cultural ties. Such a
regional dimension, combined with such rich cultural
heritage, is connected with the efforts UNESCO is
making in the medium term strategy to promote culture
and communications in an age of globalization. It is
extremely important, therefore, to continue placing
emphasis on a dialogue between different civilisations,
cultures and religions, especially in the south-eastern
part of Europe, i.e. in the Balkans. Yugoslavia stands
ready to render its constructive contribution in this
regard.
The past decade has completely disintegrated the
network of cooperation and infrastructure of scientific
cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe,
which has also adversely affected the broader scientific
community. Now, this network and infrastructure in the
region will have to be repaired and linked with science
institutions in Europe and the world in general. This
issue will be dealt with more extensively at a special
meeting of Ministers of Science and Technology of
South-East Europe to be held in a few day's time,
when important decisions related to the adoption of an
Action Plan of relevance for the development of the
region will be considered.
Protection of cultural diversity and promotion of
pluralism are not only the subject of UNESCO's
long-term work, but that is also an indispensable
condition for the development of truly democratic
societies where the human rights are guaranteed. The
new authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
have done a lot in this respect as well. Nevertheless,
there is still room for further action. We expect that
UNESCO will render its practical assistance in the
preservation of specific cultural characteristics and
diversity. As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and
multi-confessional country, we uphold the proposed
declaration on cultural diversity, which, if adopted at
this General Conference, will be the first declaration of
this kind on such an important issue.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I express the hope that this General
Conference will adopt a significant number of decisions
reaffirming and further promoting the activities of
UNESCO aimed at addressing many problems within its
field of competence. The Yugoslav delegation will act
along these lines, wishing to contribute in this way to
the successful deliberations at this Conference.
Thank you, Mr. President.
---
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by
H.E. Mr. Goran SVILANOVIC, Federal Minister for
Foreign Affairs
of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, at the 31st
Session of the General Conference
of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation
Paris, 18 October 2001
Mr. President,
Mr. Director-General, Excellencies
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am addressing you here today for the first
time since the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was
readmitted to UNESCO, convinced that my country is
ready to make full contribution to the principles and
purposes on which the Organisation was based. With the
assistance of UNESCO, we are all striving to build a
world in which the dignity of all Members and peoples,
mutual understanding and respect, interaction between
their cultural and spiritual values as well as solidarity
among them will be the fundamental values marking the
21st century. At the same time, we are aware of the
high complexity of the present political relations in the
world. Therefore, we believe that science, education
and culture could be essential bonds in a multi-faceted
cooperation and communications among all states in the
world, thus at least fulfilling some of the hopes and
aspirations of millions of people.
In this respect, the Yugoslav delegation stands
ready to cooperate fully with UNESCO and with other
countries in the implementation of the Organisation's
programmes. With this in mind, we have presented our
candidature for membership of the Executive Board.
This is my country's first candidature for a seat in a
body within the UN system since it was reintegrated
into international organisations. If we get your
confidence, we shall seek, in our overall activity, to
demonstrate our full commitment to the noble goals that
UNESCO stands for.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank Mrs.
Sonia Mendietae de Badaroux, President of the
UNESCO Executive Board, for the warm words
addressed at the opening of the General Conference to
my country.
Mr. President,
This General Conference coincides with the efforts
the international community is making to prevent and
combat terrorism. This time, I should like to reiterate
our condemnation of the unprecedented terrorist attacks
on the United States of America, to confirm our full
support for the anti-terrorism coalition and to express
once again our deepest condolences to the Government
and people of the United States of America. My
Government fully supports the recently adopted UN
Security Council resolutions 1368 and 1373 as well as
UN General Assembly resolution 56/1. Terrorism poses
a threat to international peace and security, and we
believe that all states should take measures to bring the
perpetrators, instigators and sponsors of such acts of
terror to justice.
In this context, the role of the United Nations is
central. We share the opinion of the Secretary-General
who, in his recent statement, said that "the United
Nations must provide a framework of shared values and
understanding, within which their free and voluntary
efforts can interact and reinforce each other instead of
getting in each other's way".
Regrettably, terrorists and terrorism are present in
the region of South Eastern Europe. In fact, terrorism is
closely connected with transnational organized crime,
human and drug trafficking, money laundering and other
similar crimes. This is seriously affecting the stability
of South East Europe as a whole. Evidently, there is a
need to enhance coordination and cooperation at the
subregional and regional levels in order to face this
challenge.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I cannot but use this opportunity to highlight the
problems of protection of the cultural heritage in Kosovo
and Metohija province which has been administered by
the United Nations since June 1999. Over the last two
years more than a hundred places of enormous historic
and civilisational values have been destroyed there,
despite the clearly worded provisions and a
commitment to implement the 1954 Hague Convention
on the protection of cultural sites in case of a military
conflict. There is an urgent need for assistance to
prepare a plan of action to protect from further
degradation medieval cultural and architectural sites
and to rehabilitate them. It is also hoped that UNESCO
will soon complete the initiated process and include in
its list of world cultural heritage some of the sites in
Kosovo and Metohija such as the monasteries De~ani
and Gracanica.
Not so long ago, UNESCO strongly supported the
restoration of the education system in the Albanian
language in Kosovo and Metohija. Similarly, we expect
UNESCO to help restore the Serbian-language
education there, as well as to recognize the need for
repairs to schools in numerous Serbian enclaves in
Kosovo and Metohija.
Mr. President,
In order to ensure a lasting peace in South-East
Europe, it is necessary, in our opinion, to contemplate a
regional approach through a reaffirmation of the
principles of the Helsinki Charter, namely inviolability
of borders, but also through the resolution of substantive
issues such as the issue of minorities. Such a political
programme needs to be followed by cooperation in
science, culture, education and information.
Education for all must be the priority of
cooperation among the countries of South-East Europe.
It will not resolve problems in the region of its own
accord, but it is certainly part of a long-term solution
through promotion of democracy and human rights.
By its history, culture and civilisation, the region
to which my country belongs has an important place
within UNESCO's programmes. It is a region for which
UNESCO should devise an even more coherent and
systematic strategy. Cooperation among the interested
Member States could be improved with the assistance
of other international organisations and UNESCO, with
a view to developing a unique regional cultural identity
based on their close historical and cultural ties. Such a
regional dimension, combined with such rich cultural
heritage, is connected with the efforts UNESCO is
making in the medium term strategy to promote culture
and communications in an age of globalization. It is
extremely important, therefore, to continue placing
emphasis on a dialogue between different civilisations,
cultures and religions, especially in the south-eastern
part of Europe, i.e. in the Balkans. Yugoslavia stands
ready to render its constructive contribution in this
regard.
The past decade has completely disintegrated the
network of cooperation and infrastructure of scientific
cooperation in the region of South Eastern Europe,
which has also adversely affected the broader scientific
community. Now, this network and infrastructure in the
region will have to be repaired and linked with science
institutions in Europe and the world in general. This
issue will be dealt with more extensively at a special
meeting of Ministers of Science and Technology of
South-East Europe to be held in a few day's time,
when important decisions related to the adoption of an
Action Plan of relevance for the development of the
region will be considered.
Protection of cultural diversity and promotion of
pluralism are not only the subject of UNESCO's
long-term work, but that is also an indispensable
condition for the development of truly democratic
societies where the human rights are guaranteed. The
new authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
have done a lot in this respect as well. Nevertheless,
there is still room for further action. We expect that
UNESCO will render its practical assistance in the
preservation of specific cultural characteristics and
diversity. As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and
multi-confessional country, we uphold the proposed
declaration on cultural diversity, which, if adopted at
this General Conference, will be the first declaration of
this kind on such an important issue.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I express the hope that this General
Conference will adopt a significant number of decisions
reaffirming and further promoting the activities of
UNESCO aimed at addressing many problems within its
field of competence. The Yugoslav delegation will act
along these lines, wishing to contribute in this way to
the successful deliberations at this Conference.
Thank you, Mr. President.
---
Questa lista e' curata da componenti del
Coordinamento Nazionale per la Jugoslavia (CNJ).
I documenti distribuiti non rispecchiano necessariamente
le posizioni ufficiali o condivise da tutto il CNJ, ma
vengono fatti circolare per il loro contenuto informativo al
solo scopo di segnalazione e commento ("for fair use only").
Archivio:
> http://www.domeus.it/circles/jugoinfo oppure:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/messages
Per iscriversi al bollettino: <jugoinfo-subscribe@...>
Per cancellarsi: <jugoinfo-unsubscribe@...>
Per inviare materiali e commenti: <jugocoord@...>
---- Spot ------------------------------------------------------------
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e interviste nella Newsletter piu' in palla del momento!!!
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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