Thank you, Mr Chair, dear Mario. I want to start by thanking you
and your team for your stewardship of this Forum over the past
trimester and for ensuring that this Forum has remained relevant
and able to fulfil its mandate.
We fully support your efforts to keep this Forum focused on
Russia's unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of
Ukraine. The invasion is in its third year and continues to
violate the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act's core
principles, including those on sovereignty, territorial integrity
and the non-use of force. Under your stewardship, we have
shown that these principles and this Forum continue to matter and
that we will keep on defending both.
Mr Chair, we welcomed the focus of your Security Dialogues on
different aspect of the war on Ukraine, particularly Humanitarian
Mine Action and Women, Peace, and Security. It remains
essential that we continue to champion women's full, equal,
meaningful, and safe participation in political and peace
processes.
Since 24 February 2022, the Ukrainian people have continued to
defend their homeland. As my Prime Minister said this month,
we will support Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it
takes to uphold our shared values and our shared
security.
Mr Chair, Russia's invasion of another participating State has
undermined the principles of this organisation and of
international humanitarian law. Perhaps that is why Russia
continues to do everything it can to avoid a discussion on these
issues in this Forum. For a third trimester in a row, Russia
blocked consensus on holding a formal FSC Security
Dialogue. It has blocked standard sessions of the Forum too,
while demanding exceptional treatment. Yet, it has been
unable to articulate any issues with the mandated Agenda, let
alone offer an alternative.
The Rules of Procedure remain clear. Under these, the Chair
is mandated to ‘ensure the good order and smooth running of
meetings'. The Rules remain clear that it is the Chair's
prerogative to set the agenda. And to select and invite
guest speakers.
There remains another path. Russia claims that it wants
peace. Peace is in its gift. If that wish for peace is
genuine, it can end this war and withdraw all of its forces to
outside of Ukraine's internationally recognised borders. It
should do this. Russia claims that it is serious about dialogue
and risk reduction. If that is true, it must re-engage with
an FSC that meets, as mandated, weekly.
I wish to conclude by thanking Cyprus as it leaves the FSC
Troika, and to welcome Spain. The incoming Chair, Denmark,
can count on the UK's full and continued support next trimester –
including in its prerogative as FSC Chair. Thank you.
