Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at UNSC meeting on the threats to international peace and security

Thank you Madam President.

Secretary-General, thank you very much for your remarks.

Thank you also to Director General Grossi and Assistant Secretary-General Jenča for their briefings.

Madam President,

This body is mandated to work for maintenance of international peace and security. There are moments in this Chamber and outside – pivotal moments – that shape our collective future. We believe today’s debate is one of them.

Slovenia denounces the sharp military escalation. This escalation risks to further exacerbate an already extremely dangerous and unstable regional situation and is threatening international peace and security.

Therefore, we join the Secretar- General’s call on the parties to the conflict to disengage from further escalation and retaliation. We call for an immediate ceasefire.

Madam President,

We further call on the parties to the conflict to respect the UN Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law. As we have been proven time and time again, violence and military conflicts lead nowhere, but to an even greater suffering of the innocent people of the Middle East. We are deeply alarmed about the toll of the ongoing situation on civilians, the chaos and the fear it is sowing.

Madam President,

Slovenia remains concerned about the size and unclear nature of Iran’s nuclear program. We reaffirm our firm rejection of nuclear proliferation. At this point, I wish to express our full support to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and to you, DG Grossi. At this critical moment, with so much at stake, we must insist on diplomacy. A tailored diplomatic solution is needed. We welcome attempts of maintaining a diplomatic path in the recent days, namely the meeting of the E3 and the EU with Iran, and call on everyone else to follow this path.

We call on the parties to the conflict and those with influence on them, to prioritize diplomacy and peace, and to return to the negotiating table. This must include Iran’s nuclear question, leading us to establishing a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution, as well as dealing with other regional crisis, including Gaza.

Madam President,

Let me repeat. This is not a time for further escalations. This is not a time for retaliatory measures. It is time for de-escalation and diplomacy. It is time for peace.

And we call on all leaders to show leadership for peace.

I thank you.

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