Statement delivered by Mr. Neven Mikec, Deputy Head of Mission, at the Security Council debate on peacebuilding operations.
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues,
First of all, I would like to thank you Mr. President and your team, for successful conduct of the Council's work during this month and especially for convening this important debate. We are confident that under your able guidance we will have a successful deliberation and achieve mutual understanding on this important subject.
My delegation has aligned itself with the statement of the EU. However, allow me to take part in this timely debate by adding few comments in my national capacity.
Mr. President,
The concepts of peace-keeping and peace-building together with the international landscape, which has changed sharply over the past 20 years, are constantly being upgraded and the role of the United Nations in multi-dimensional peace-keeping is becoming ever more complex and deeper, aiming at resolving the underlying causes, not just the symptoms.
Over the years Croatia has gained extensive and valuable knowledge and experience with UN peace-keeping operations and peace-building efforts taking into the account our path from hosting the peacekeepers to becoming a strong contributor to numerous peace-keeping operations. In this regard, Croatia is making every effort to use its experience in helping other countries in need to overcome their difficulties.
Let me highlight some issues that we feel need further attention.
The concept of peace-keeping cannot be touched upon without mentioning the two documents, the Brahimi Report and the New Horizon. Croatia supports guidelines provided in these documents, especially to the premise that conflict cannot be resolved first and foremost by military means, but rather seek to address the problems at their root causes. Building of lasting peace and security can only be achieved through adherence to the three interlinked and firmly grounded basic pillars of security, development and the protection of human rights.
The genuine and sustainable peace can be accomplished only through thorough rebuilding of core national institutions and their functions, as well as their employment on behalf of all social, religious and ethnic groups. Therefore the peace-keeping has to be considered as a beginning of peace-building process. Such multi-dimensional approach needs to be reflected in mission planning process.
A clear political strategy and integrated mission planning is extremely important and should include the provision of precisely defined mandate with clear and objective benchmarks and goals, and a clear way out strategy. The new approach to peace-keeping is not without its shortcomings and for that reason mandates provided by the Security Council should be clear and achievable, reflective of the actual situation and as depoliticized as possible. To ensure that expected gaps are minimized and to increase overall efficiency, we believe that each new mission needs to be tailored according to concrete condition as well as the political realities on the ground.
Mr. President,
We believe that cooperation and coordination between main stakeholders within UN together with troop- and police- contributing countries needs to be strengthen. The peace-keeping operations should be planned with the unambiguous support of a core number of nations willing to provide troops for proposed mission. In that regard, Croatia welcomes open and inclusive thematic debates on the issues of peace-keeping and especially the ongoing practice of interaction with Security Council Working Group on peace-keeping operations that allow comprehensive overview on the situation of each operation.
Croatia recognizes and supports the Council's intention to further strengthen coherence between peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building in its work and we particularly welcome the Council's practice of transforming some former peace-keeping missions into integrated peace-building missions. This practice fits into the mandates and activities of other stakeholders in charge of peace-building, especially the PBC, and opens the door for further fruitful cooperation between them. In that context, let me add here our hope that the PBC's relevant knowledge and experience regarding specific issues on countries that are on the agendas of both the Security Council and the PBC will find its way to the Council's deliberations.
The implementation of protection of civilian's mandates continues to be one of the most operationally complex tasks for United Nations peacekeeping. UN troops, police and civilians on the ground continue to develop innovative approaches to protection on civilians. In that respect Croatia strongly support the implementation of Strategic Framework to guide the drafting of comprehensive Protection of Civilians strategies, particularly a series of Protection of Civilians training models for military, police and civilian personnel.
The Republic of Croatia develops civilian and military capabilities focused on training, education and mentoring of the national forces in conflict-affected countries. Those capabilities, properly suited to concrete missions, contribute to security and stability, especially by providing assistance in the process of establishing self-sustainable national forces and authorities.
In conducting peace-keeping and peace-building efforts two additional aspects have to be considered in order to strengthen overall achievements: cooperation among international agencies, regional and sub-regional organizations as well as the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. Croatia believes that these two aspects should be encouraged as much as possible.
Mr. President,
Finally, allow me to express Croatia's support to the Report of the Special Committee on peace-keeping operations. Even though much still can be done we believe that the Report provides a vital input to the membership continued efforts to implement the United Nations peace-keeping reform agenda and shapes the future of UN peace-keeping. Croatia will continue to contribute to that regard.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, we would like to recognize the crucial role of all men and women serving in UN peace-keeping missions and in that regard we condemn all attacks on United Nations peace-keeping personnel. We would like to highlight the belief that safety and security of all UN personnel is of paramount importance.
Thank you Mr. President.
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