Make Unity a Priority for Global Peace, Security, UN Security Council Told

Abimbola Akosile

Working together in a spirit of cooperation and multilateralism must be a priority for both the United Nations and the European Union (EU) – and indeed, all countries worldwide, the UN Security Council has been told.
Making unity a priority would enable the global and regional bodies to face and overcome the various political and humanitarian crises occurring around the world, the council was advised.

These tips were given by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, at a recent Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations in maintaining international peace and security, which took place in New York, US.

“In times like these, we need each other. We need all nations to come together, united. We need the United Nations. Because only together can we draw the way forward, and make sure that tomorrow will be better than today,” she added.
Addressing the 15-member body at UN Headquarters in New York, Ms. Mogherini, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission, highlighted that she had participated in numerous meetings and events with UN agencies around the world since taking office as the EU’s High Representative.

“I believe this is the only way we have – as Europeans, as responsible members of the international community – to face these difficult times in the history of the world,” she stressed.

Indeed, she recalled that a year ago she had told the Council that the EU believes in multilateralism and in the UN. “Today I can add that multilateralism will be one of the core principles and priorities in our new Global Strategy for foreign and security policy, which I will present in the coming weeks,” Mogherini said.
“This is not time for global policemen. This is no time for lonely warriors. If we want to finally put an end to the many crises we face – and prevent new ones before they explode – our only hope is to work as truly United Nations,” she added.

Ms. Mogherini’s briefing also touched on international cooperation and the EU’s efforts in relation to Afghanistan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine and Yemen. She noted that the EU and the UN share the “very same approach” to security and development.
That same approach has now become an integral part of the EU’s response to migration and the current refugee crises, she said.

“Migration and displacement are one of the great challenges of our era. Our response is the measure of our very humanity,” she said, adding that she looked forward to the UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September.
Mogherini also noted that stronger partnerships are the building blocks of foreign policy. “Despite all setbacks, despite all the stops and goes, multilateralism has shown its strength,” she said.

“Formats can change, and institutions must be reformed. But in our conflictual world, where power is scattered and diffuse, global peace and security only stands a chance if our nations and our regions are united,” she added, concluding that the EU “will always come back to the United Nations, to the core of the international multilateral system, to the stubborn idea of a cooperative world order.”

The High Representative also met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, discussing the Israeli-Palestinian question, Syria, Libya, Yemen, migration, Afghanistan, and the situation in various parts of Africa.

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