I
am here today to reassure you that Europe is as committed to its values and
objectives now, as it has ever been: Europe will stay the course, even though it
is now confronting challenges unseen and unheard of since for decades.
Wars are
raging both to the South and to the East of our borders. European leaders are
tackling the consequences of borders being changed on our continent by force,
like in Ukraine, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations. We are also
dealing with the refugee crisis, with terrorist attacks inside Europe and with
economic difficulties in some Member States. As difficult as the situation is, I
am sure that we will cope with it, and most importantly, we will, at the same
time, remain dedicated to helping make the whole world a better place.
Everyone
who wishes to contribute to eradicating poverty, supporting peace keeping
missions, solving the migration crisis, as well as to handling the causes and
effects of climate change, can still count on us. For Europe, isolationism has
never been, and will not be, an option.
We
are always ready to listen to the good and sound advice of our friends, also on
the unprecedented refugee and migrant crisis that we face today.
The
myth prevails that Europe is the only rich place on Earth. This is not true;
there are other places comparable to us in terms of wealth. But for some reason,
refugees and migrants are not flowing there. This is because wealth is not the
only element that determines where people choose the future for their children;
such values like tolerance, openness, respect for diversity, freedom, human
rights and the Geneva Convention are also a magnet attracting them to us.
And
we refuse to change in these respects. If in Europe we are engaged in animated
discussions on relocation quotas, it is because we care. It is because we seek
to be as effective and as inclusive as possible. But quotas are just a fraction
of what Europe is already doing to help those who flee wars and persecution. By
contrast, many countries represented here deal with this problem in a much more
simple way; namely by not allowing migrants and refugees to enter their
territories at all. This is why suggesting that Europe is an example of poor
treatment or indifference towards asylum-seekers is sheer hypocrisy.
In
fact, the opposite is true, as we can see from the direction of their travel.
No-one seems to be escaping from Europe, while people from all over Eurasia and
Africa are coming to Europe. The crisis we are talking about has global
dimensions and demands a global solution. First of all, it demands global
solidarity. Everyone can offer help to the refugees. And those who do not want
to, at least shouldn't hide their indifference by criticiszing Europe for doing
too little.
It
is no coincidence that the UN General Assembly debate this year focuses mainly
on the situation in the Middle East, especially in Syria. Let us have no
illusions. Syria's crisis will not be solved unless a common denominator of
interests is found among the regional players. But a peace plan must not only be
only a formula for defining a new division into spheres of influence. Here, in
the United Nations, we should speak not only about the interests of the regional
powers but above all about the interests of millions of Syrians, including those
internally displaced and the refugees.
The
fight against terrorism is no doubt important in this context; that is why we
welcome the fact that this aim is gaining the support of new and quite
unexpected allies. But we cannot overlook the fact that many refugees are
fleeing state terrorism, of which Syria is a dramatic proof.
Europe,
which everyday witnesses the tragedies of millions of Syrian refugees, must be
their advocate. We all want to see stable states in the region; stabilisation is
a value beyond any dispute. But stability cannot be won with barrel bombs and
chemical weapons used against civilians.
Today
the circle of proponents of the idea that Bashar al-Assad should be part of
Syria's transition is growing. Yet we cannot forget that millions of people have
fled his horrific methods of trying to secure stability in Syria. During my
trips to the region, I was told that Assad's victory would only lead to another
exodus. The only goal and intention of a peace plan for Syria must be to make it
possible for the people to again start leading normal lives in the region.
This,
and this message alone, will be consistent with the values of the international
community, of the European Union, and with the values that the United Nations
has held dear for more than seventy years.
This
year will also be crucial in the global efforts to fight the causes and
consequences of climate change. In the last days and weeks we have listened with
great hope and satisfaction to the pledged of leaders, committed to fighting
global warming. Europe is determined that the Paris Summit be a breakthrough,
symbolising our readiness to undertake unified action in the face of this global
problem.
With
a pledge to reduce CO2 by 40%, as compared to 1990, Europe remains in
the lead of this process. But fighting global warming is not a sports
competition. Victory is possible when everybody moves in the same direction and
at a similar pace. This is why we invite all of you to take part in this common
endeavour. Without a global agreement, Europe's isolated efforts will be
impractical. What matters for Europe is practical effects, not ideological
fervour.
Global
challenges must be dealt with multilaterally, or they will not be dealt with at
all. There is a duty on all of us to make the words "international community"
actually mean something real. We are facing multiple global emergencies. Let
them pave the way to forming our strong global community. Thank you.
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