Remarks by Ambassador Vassily A. Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, following UNSC consultations on the situation in Yemen
I would like to read the press elements of the Security Council meeting which has just finished. The press elements are as follows:
The Members of the Security Council were briefed by Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Yemen Mr. Martin Griffits and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mr. Mark Lowcock on the situation in the country. The Members of the Security Council reiterated that only negotiated political settlement can bring the war to an end and in this context supported the efforts undertaken by Special Envoy M.Griffits and humanitarian personnel in the country. The invited Special Envoy M.Griffits to stay in regular touch and looked forward to the briefing on 18 June. The Security Council decided to stay closely seized about the matter in the coming days.
Thank you very much.
Q: About Hodeidah Port. Of course, it was a central part of your discussions today. What are the options that you discussed and who should control the port, because the military situation is changing on the ground?
A: We did not discuss that particular issue who should be controlling the port. We were discussing the situation around that area and the need for de-escalation, but we are hoping that the efforts of the Special Envoy will bring positive result on it. And we left it in his hands for the time being deciding to come back to the matter as the situation arises and as it is needed.
Q: What is the position of Russia on this matter?
A: We are very much concerned about the possible consequences of escalation around Hodeidah. Of course the situation is complex. But again I have to repeat, that we had a very detailed discussion with the Special Envoy who is very well aware of the situation and is willing to help to solve it.
Q: Are there any calls for truce by any Council Members attacks against Muslims during the final Friday of Ramadan?
A: The word “truce” I didn’t hear. I heard the word “de- escalation”.
Q: What is your feeling regarding the contribution of the Security Council to the settlement of issues on the Korean peninsula?
A: The Security Council produced the SC Resolutions on North Korea which were partly a contribution to the process that we can see now. We are very hopeful about the results of the summit and wishing good luck to both sides to see peace in North-East Asia, a peaceful architecture and guarantees of security and denuclearized North Korea. We hope that this is a start of a process that will eventually lead to it.
Q: Could you comment on the effectiveness of sanctions against North Korea?
A: Sanctions against North Korea are a collective effort of all Security Council Members. You want me to assess their effectiveness, but I wonder by what scale. We have the resolutions, they are working. We are implementing them. The resolutions are not only about sanctions. The resolutions were about a political solution. What is working now is the former part of the resolution that was neglected for the certain period of time, but now we see that the road map that China and Russia were proposing and that was not taken into account, it is in fact working.
