Statement by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Syria

I thank Under-Secretary-General Di Carlo and Assistant Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings today. I also welcome the Ambassador of Syria to the chamber.

I especially extend our gratitude to Mariam Jalabi for her intervention. Mariam, your messages for the international community are heard loud and clear in this chamber. We should be in no doubt that the energy, commitment and sacrifice shown over decades by Syrian civil society, and Syrian women in particular, have kept the struggle for freedom and democracy in Syria alive. Civil society can and should continue to play an integral role in shaping Syria’s future, as part of a meaningful and inclusive national dialogue, and at every table.  

Colleagues,

As others before me have acknowledged, we convene today having recently marked one year since the fall of the brutal Assad regime – a turning point in the trajectory of Syria’s long and rich history. We also meet two weeks since the Security Council’s historic visit to Syria, which Slovenia was proud to co-lead as President.

Today offers an opportunity to reflect on the monumental events of the past year as well as the Council’s first-hand experience on the ground, while also looking to the great opportunities and responsibilities that lie ahead.  

Our visit was undertaken in a spirit of support and solidarity with the people of Syria. This remains our guiding light. As I said earlier, the process ahead has to be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned. What struck me during the visit was the extent of destruction in parts of Damascus, matched in equal measure by the determination of the Syrian people to rebuild.

The international community should do all it can to support this, and has already taken important steps. This includes the lifting of EU economic sanctions in May, and the adoption of Resolution 2799 last month. We welcome the decision by the US legislators to repeal the Caesar Act.

And yet, there remains much left to do to facilitate reconstruction, and – critically – to transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable, long-term development and economic recovery. Slovenia sees the UN playing a critical support role here, and therefore hopes that we can soon move forward with an agreement on the UN’s reconfigured presence in Damascus.

Colleagues,

What we have learned from the experience of conflict in our own region is that peace is more than just the absence of armed conflict. In the aftermath of seismic change, divisions still persist and trust requires time to rebuild. This is evidenced by the devastating violence and continued volatility in Sweidah and the coastal region of Syria this year. There must be accountability for all acts of violence, recent and historic, regardless of perpetrator.

We welcome efforts undertaken by the Syrian authorities to establish national bodies to address recent violence as well as issues relating to transitional justice and the missing, which is reinforced by the efforts of ground-breaking UN General Assembly mechanisms. The wounds of the past will be difficult to heal, but this work, when conducted transparently and efficiently, is essential to the process of healing.

Equally vital is the process of building a national security force under one umbrella, encompassing disarmament, demobilization and integration of all armed groups, as well as countering and preventing terrorism and violent extremism. We condemn the killing of two US soldiers and a translator in Palmyra days ago, and deeply regret all victims of terrorism in Syria. The recent announcement that Syria will join the Global Coalition against Daesh is welcome, as is the renewed cooperation with the OPCW and the IAEA. Slovenia furthermore calls for progress towards the implementation of the 10 March agreement between the SDF and the transitional authorities.

Colleagues,

Syria should be a centre for stability in the region. This requires the constructive engagement of Syria’s neighbours. We believe that the Security Council’s visit demonstrated our shared commitment to the country’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity. These principles should be respected by all, at all times.   

In particular, Israel’s violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement are unjustifiable. There is no legal basis for involving Article 51 to justify pre-emptive strikes in foreign territories. Slovenia calls for the full implementation of the 1974 Agreement and looks forward to the renewal of the Force’s mandate this month. At this critical opportunity for the region, we urge all actors to show restraint and choose the path of diplomacy.

Colleagues,

During our two years in this seat, it was arguably the change in Syria that most inspired a promise of hope for a better future. As Slovenia exits the Security Council, we remain fully invested in this promise. The journey ahead will, no doubt, be a long one.

Its success will depend on building trust. Trust among Syrians. Trust between the Syrian people and the Syrian authorities. Trust between Syria and its neighbours. And trust between Syria and the international community, which we believe can be forged and reaffirmed in this chamber and in these very halls.

There are no quick fixes, and we do not underestimate the scale of the challenge, but we believe there is a common determination, including around this table. And with common determination, much can be achieved.

The Syrian people can count on Slovenia to continue to play its part.

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