Iohannis at UN: Romania advocates for expanded Security Council, where transparency is norm, not exception

  Romania advocates for an expanded Security Council, where transparency and responsibility are the norm, and not the exception, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, declared on Wednesday in New York in his speech before the UN General Assembly."There is no viable alternative to the United Nations and the principles upon which the Organization was built remain more valid than ever. Our focus now is to continue the UN reform, so that it will be fit to address current challenges and the ones looming," said the Romanian head of state in his last speech before the UN General Assembly as president.He pleaded for a United Nations Organization "more effective and efficient, a more representative UN, in which trust can be fostered".Iohannis said that the UN must be "more accessible to the public and more meaningful", to be an organization where youth can have "a say on matters affecting them" and where "the voices of the civil society and other stakeholders are heard"."That is why a Pact for the Future was so urgently required. To give fresh shape and purpose to our vision for the next generations", the Romanian head of state said, referring to the document signed on Sunday by most of the member states.Iohannis spoke of the UN as "a continuous aspiration for a better world (...), a world where sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law and human rights are respected. Where each country can choose its own path, with dignity and free from aggression. Where every citizen is safe and free. This is our call to action," concluded the Romanian president.   Romania has given strong and multidimensional support to Ukraine and its people, and we are committed to maintaining it as long as necessary, declared Wednesday, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, in his speech given in New York, in the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that Romania fully supports the peace initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenski."Look at the terrible global consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. This war has triggered the biggest security crisis in recent European history, violating international law and having implications far beyond Europe," Iohannis said in his latest speech in The UN General Assembly as President of Romania."Romania has provided strong and multidimensional support to Ukraine and its people, and we are committed to maintaining it as long as needed. At the same time, Romania will continue its unconditional support for strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova, the second most affected country of this war," added the Romanian president.He emphasized that "our security is not regional, but global" and that "this brutal war has already affected nations and people around the world".The Romanian head of state highlighted the crucial role played by Romania in facilitating grain exports from Ukraine through its ports on the Danube and the Black Sea."A long-term conflict is unacceptable and we must remain firm in our position. Ukraine needs the determined support of all UN member states, determined to respect international law and the UN Charter. Romania fully supports President Zelenski's Peace Initiative: it is the only approach that can ensure a just and lasting peace and is in full agreement with the UN Charter and international law," Iohannis also said in his speech.At the same time, the president spoke about the conflict in the Gaza Strip and called for an end to hostilities, expressing his support for the two-state solution."Nearly a year ago, the heinous attack by Hamas against Israeli civilians shocked the world. In the wake of the spiral of violence that followed, our actions based on Security Council resolutions must prevail. Cessation of hostilities, safe release of all hostages and facilitating the safe transport of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza are imperatives that no one can deny," Iohannis said in the UN General Assembly."In addition, we support all efforts to resume the political process based on the solution of the two states, coexisting in peace and security, within safe and recognized borders," the president added. (Photo:https://www.presidency.ro/)