ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad-based heads of missions of the European Union countries, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia Tuesday urged Pakistan to join them in condemning Russia’s actions and to voice support for “upholding the UN Charter and the founding principles of international law in Ukraine”.
As the United Nations General Assembly started its emergency session this week, which is expected to pass a resolution to condemn the Russia’s actions against Ukraine, the representatives of 22 countries in Pakistan, including the EU, through a press release, voiced support for “upholding the UN Charter and the principles of international law in Ukraine” on Tuesday.
Pakistan, however, is expected to abstain from the voting on the resolution with a view not to take sides.
“As Heads of Mission to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we urge Pakistan to join us in condemning Russia’s actions and to voice support for upholding the UN Charter and the founding principles of international law,” reads the statement, released by the European Union Delegation to Pakistan.
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The statement has been signed by Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Androulla Kaminara; Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan, Nicolaus Keller; Ambassador of Belgium to Pakistan, Philippe Bronchain; Ambassador of Bulgaria to Pakistan, Irena Gancheva; Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Lis Rosenholm; Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey; Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, Bernhard Schlagheck; Ambassador of Hungary to Pakistan, Béla Fazekas; Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Andreas Ferrarese; Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, Paulo Neves Pocinho; Ambassador of Poland to Pakistan, Maciej Pisarski; Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Nicolae Goia; Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, Manuel DuránGiménez-Rico; Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, Bénédict de Cerjat; Ambassador of The Netherlands to Pakistan, Wouter Plomp; Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mitsuhiro Wada; Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour; British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner; and Charge d’affaires Australian High Commission to Pakistan, Bryze David Hutchesson.
It further stated: “As we are writing this, there is war in Europe. We deplore the loss of life and humanitarian suffering as innocent civilians are being targeted and mass exodus of women and children in underway into neighbouring countries from Ukraine, and independent and severing state and member of the United Nations. This is unacceptable in Europe, as it is anywhere in the world.”
It added that the facts are that Russia launched an “unprovoked attack and invaded” a peaceful neighboring country, which posed no threat to it. “This constitutes a clear violation of the Charted of the United Nations and presents a serious risk to global peace and security. In these extreme times, the international community must work in solidarity and support and uphold the rules-based international order,” it added.
On the 25thof February 2022, it added that a UN Security Council Draft Resolution was presented, which was vetoed by Russia and with three members abstaining [China, India, and UAE], while 11 members voted in favour.
It further stated that the draft resolution aimed reaffirming the commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally-recognised borders and would have deplored in the strongest terms Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In addition, the draft resolution called on Russia to immediately completely and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.
“In light of Russia’s veto to the UNSC’s draft resolution, the UN General Assembly will now meet in an emergency special session. At this session, the UN General Assembly is expected to vote for a resolution to stop Russia’s aggression,” it added. The statement also referred to the recent statement by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres who stated: “The UN Charter has been challenged in the past, but it has stood firm on the side of peace, security, development, justice, international law and human rights. The international community must do everything in its power so that these values prevail in Ukraine and for all humanity.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
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