Statement and right of reply by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the VTC of UNSC members on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinian question
Mr. President,
We thank Special Coordinator N.Mladenov for his briefing.
The Palestinian problem has a regional dimension as reflected in the Arab Peace Initiative endorsed by the world community. Without its settlement, as history proves, it is impossible to establish peace in the region. Settlement that is acceptable to both sides - Palestinians and Israelis - is the only guarantee of a lasting peace.
At all stages of work on the Middle East peace process Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the international "Quartet" of mediators has always proceeded from the need to achieve a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the internationally recognized legal framework approved by the UN. It includes UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the fundamental principle of "two state solution". This base provides for the creation of an independent, sovereign and territorially contiguous Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the capital in East Jerusalem, which would live in peace with Israel. And Russia will adhere to these principles.
The entire range of final status issues should be resolved in direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. These negotiations should be launched as soon as possible. We call on our partners in the “Quartet” - the UN, the EU and the US - to intensify cooperation to assist the parties. We are ready for dialogue with key regional players. In addition, Russia is actively engaged with various Palestinian representatives in the interests of overcoming their differences, helping our Egyptian friends in this regard.
We reaffirm the call to abstain from provocative moves and unilateral steps. International cooperation and joint action must accompany the advancement of the Middle East peace process.
In this regard, we took note of the trilateral statement of the leaders of the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates. In accordance with this document, Israel will suspend the annexation of the occupied West Bank of the Jordan River. We consider this important since such plans were a key obstacle to the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. Annexation would destroy the prospects for a viable, independent and territorially contiguous Palestinian state. The aforementioned trilateral statement also confirms that the parties will continue their efforts to achieve a just and sustainable settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In this regard, we would like to remind that despite the existence of unilateral initiatives, the basis of such a settlement should remain the internationally recognized parameters. We emphasize that unilateral actions, including plans for annexation, which undermine the legal basis for a settlement, should be abandoned.
Looking at the situation on the ground, we call on all parties to refrain from violence, including threats of rocket launches on Israeli territory and on Israel to stop its settlement activity, the demolition of Palestinian property and evictions. We are concerned with recent escalation around Gaza. The coronavirus multiplied problems of local population. We call on the parties concerned to cooperate and fight the pandemic together. We share concerns about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
We are also concerned about the increased workload of UNRWA, as well as the need for additional funding for the Agency to respond to new challenges, including in countries hosting Palestinian refugees, primarily in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. We call on the international community to respond and support UNRWA.
Mr. President,
In conclusion we would like to raise another important issue directly related to the situation in the Middle East. It has clear implications for the regional and international peace and security.
We all know that our US colleagues on August 20 handed to the President of the Council a letter with a claim that US allegedly triggers a “snapback” process as foreseen by the OP11 of the UNSC resolution 2231.
Almost all Council Members responded immediately by their letters to the President. As far as we can judge, in these letters an overwhelming majority of the Member States explicitly stated that the letter from the United States can’t be considered as a notification as per paragraph 11 of the UNSC resolution 2231, nor does it trigger the “snapback” procedure, since the US has ceased its participation in the JCPOA. The United States is the only Member of the UNSC that claims the opposite.
We therefore would like to ask you a question. Could you inform us about the results of the bilateral consultations with Member States of the UNSC that you held after receiving US letter, as well as to clarify what is your view on the US claim and how are you going to proceed in this situation? In particular, Mr. President, do you intend to follow the procedures foreseen by OP 11 of Security Council Resolution 2231?
Thank you.
Right of reply:
Our position on the matter is very well known. It has been expressed consistently on many occasions. Lastly - in our communication to the President of the Security Council after US allegedly triggered a snapback which we challenged. That communication has been circulated as a UNSC document. I will not be repeating it. Today's discussion clearly demonstrated where the Security Council members (most of them) stand on the issue. They confirmed the paramount need to preserve the JCPOA. Preservation of the JCPOA is important for the whole international community, including for the United States. I hope that the US would be able to finally realize it and not to pursue this path which is not only illegal, but it will simply not lead to achievement of the result that the US envisaged.
Mr. President,
My main point is to thank you for the conclusion that you made in response to our question. I think it is a prudent step that you are taking given the positions of the Member States of the Council on the matter that we raised.
Thank you.
