Statement by Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy at an open VTC of UNSC members on the situation in Iraq
Mr. President,
At the outset, let me express our deep regret regarding the fact that we again have to convene a meeting in an informal VTC format, although nothing keeps us from getting back to in-persons in the Security Council chamber, which meets all social distancing requirements prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. The epidemiological situation in New York is gradually improving, and the city is getting back to normal. However the hesitation of some of our colleagues to that end puts at risk the reputation of the Security Council. We request the Chinese Presidency to take efforts in order to ensure that the Council can get back to its traditional forms of work without any further delay.
Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for her briefing. We again reiterate our support for the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) across all aspects of its mandate.
We are concerned over the numerous challenges that the friendly Iraq is faced with. Deteriorating socio-economic situation incites protests among the population. The state of affairs is further exacerbated by the decreasing state revenues caused by plummeting oil prices and the spread of coronavirus. Against this backdrop, underground terrorist units keep undertaking their raids.
We support the efforts of the Iraqi government under the helm of Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi aimed at improving the situation in Iraq, ensuring safety, law and order in the country. At the same time, we understand that the authorities are faced with problems that cannot be solved overnight. Socio-economic and humanitarian aspects of the situation in Iraq require attention and assistance of the global community, especially in light of the pandemic and the need to restore areas devastated by ISIL. Therefore, we welcome the adoption of budget for 2021. This step will unlock ways to resolve several pressing issues, among them the organization of elections, distribution of oil revenues, implementation of social projects.
Fight against terrorism remains a highly relevant task. Despite Iraq’s progress at the anti-terrorist track, the security situation in the country remains fragile, i.a. due to the wake-up of terrorist underground. We proceed from the understanding that all those involved in fight against terrorism in Iraq must remain committed to sovereignty of the Iraqi state and coordinate their actions with Baghdad.
One of priority tasks of M.Al-Kadhimi’s cabinet is to prepare for early parliamentary elections that are scheduled to convene in October this year. We expect the leading political forces of Iraq to achieve the much-needed unity on that issue. We welcome that Iraqis addressed the UNSC with a request to engage UNAMI in monitoring the parliamentary elections. We are ready to have a targeted discussion of that issue at the Council in view of the upcoming extension of UNAMI mandate.
The commitment of Baghdad and Kuwait City to promptly resolve all the outstanding issues of Iraqi-Kuwaiti file, and the stable positive momentum of this process deserve our special support.
We reconfirm our consistent approach, according to which Iraq must not turn into arena for regional confrontation. We call on all external stakeholders who are interested in stabilization in Iraq, to keep from steps that might negatively affect the situation in that country. We appreciate the efforts of Baghdad aimed at building good relations with its neighbors. Hopefully, Iraq and other regional actors will deliver on their diplomatic potential in order to collectively promote peace and stability in the entire Middle Eastern region, i.a. on the basis of UNSC resolution 598 and the corresponding Russian concept.
Thank you.
