Address of H. E.
Mr. Gordan Jandroković, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia
at the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly
ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS - Group of Friends Ministerial Level Meeting
New York, 24th September 2010
Mr. High Representative,
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I
am honoured to take part today in this already traditional gathering,
and I would like to thank Mr. Sampaio for convening this meeting in the
course of the General Assembly session.
With three Forums of the
Alliance of Civilizations behind us, the progress achieved is clearly
visible, especially when it comes to shaping an appropriate framework
to foster intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful
resolution of conflicts.
The Alliance became a sustainable initiative that can cope with a
number of challenges facing us today.
We
are here to contribute to its work by sharing our good practices and
our experience on a number of issues, in line with the priorities set
out in the Implementation Plan for 2009-2011.
As concluded on
numerous occasions, the most effective way for the AoC to act is
through regional initiatives, which help to develop regional strategies
and action plans.
Last December in Sarajevo such a strategy was
adopted for South East European countries which was the first of its
kind within the AoC initiative.
Many of the conflicts that the world is facing today arise from
intercultural and inter-religious tensions.
In
order to bridge them, we need to develop a better understanding of the
interaction between the worlds of religion and politics.
In this respect, we support the Mediterranean regional strategy which
was finalized with its members.
We
are therefore looking forward to the ministerial conference in the
beginning of November this year when we expect this new strategy to be
approved.
It will thus enable a number of results-oriented initiatives to be
carried out in the region, particularly in the Middle East.
We
would like to stress once again that there needs to be a continuous
effort to promote the rule of law and the protection of human rights,
both on national and on international level.
This is an important prerequisite for all of us gathered here to
advance the dialogue we seek to achieve.
As we all know, there are still major challenges in this regard that
need to be overcome.
Croatia
attaches great importance to cultural diversity, dialogue and
cooperation as foundations for peace, human solidarity and social
justice.
This is why we have been dedicated to those issues
while being a member of a number of forums and initiatives, as well as
through our recently presented AoC National Plan.
Mr. Chairman,
I
would like to express satisfaction with the progress that the Alliance
of Civilizations has made in the recent period, such as the launching
of the International Year of Youth on Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.
Such
an initiative will certainly contribute to promoting ideals of peace
and solidarity across generations, cultures, religions and
civilizations.
Finally, I would also like to thank the High
Representative Mr. Sampaio for his enormous efforts towards the
realization of AoC goals and for his result-oriented approach.
I
would like to conclude by saying that Croatia stands ready to support
any action within the AoC framework that is directed towards enhancing
dialogue, understanding and cooperation amongst cultures and
civilizations.
Thank you.
