Explanation of vote by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva after UNSC vote on the independent assessment report on Afghanistan
Mr.President,
Russia abstained on a draft resolution on the independent assessment report on Afghanistan.
We thank Emirati and Japanese penholders of the Afghan file for their efforts to draft a resolution. We commend the personal contribution of the UAE team to the promotion of a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan set out in the independent assessment report of Special Coordinator Sinirlioglu. As we have repeatedly pointed out, many of the ideas of the report echo the general approaches of regional actors to a settlement in Afghanistan. Ensuring a sustainable peace and security in the country is imperative, as this is the key to stability in the region and beyond.
We share the aspiration of the authors of this draft to change the status quo and steer the international community towards increasing pragmatic engagement with the de facto authorities, which would allow to provide broad assistance in overcoming the negative consequences of the military intervention, recover sustainable assistance to the development and prosperity of the country, and promote Afghanistan’s international re-integration. We welcome that the resolution addresses pressing issues, such as countering terrorist and drug threats, humanitarian assistance, human rights, the importance of building an architecture to ensure better connectivity of political, humanitarian, and developmental activities in Afghanistan, and also includes provisions regarding a substantive roadmap.
We continue to assume that the recommendations should be discussed in a patient and comprehensive manner, including in consultations with the de facto authorities. It is important to take a sober assessment of the situation on the ground, taking into account the reaction of the Talibs themselves. We have been saying that from the very beginning. Progress at the Afghan track depends on that. Attempts to impose on Afghanistan development paths and force it to act at someone else’s bidding, even under the auspices of the United Nations, are counterproductive and will hardly yield any results. The history of Afghanistan has a sad record of such actions and their implications.
In this regard, we assume that the Secretary-General will consult the de facto authorities when appointing a Special Envoy and will also take into account the views of all members of the Security Council. That is a principled condition that we have insisted on from the outset. We would like to make it clear that we will not support Secretary-General’s decision unless it has the approval of the de facto authorities.
We are convinced that the Afghan issue can move from an impasse only if there is consistent and patient dialogue with the de facto authorities and if certain Western donors abandon their usual rhetoric and stop manipulating with humanitarian aid. Russia, for its part, will continue to provide all necessary support for the achievement of this task and cooperate with all partners who pursue the same goals.
Thank you.
