Intensive diplomacy and increased momentum for resolving global problems during the UN General Assembly’s opening week
Press release 244/2011
23 September 2011
The Palestinian issue and other topical international political issues were the most prominent topics of Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja’s meetings during the UN General Assembly's opening week. Matters pertaining to the Middle East and North Africa were discussed during bilateral meetings, during the EU foreign ministers’ meetings with Russia and the United States and during the meeting of Nordic foreign ministers hosted by Minister Tuomioja.
The meeting of the Friends of Libya group convened by the UN Secretary General pledged strong commitment for supporting Libya as the country strives towards a stable and democratic society. The President of the Republic and Foreign Minister Tuomioja attended the meeting, which had representatives from some 60 countries. Finland expressed readiness to take part in supporting Libya in many different ways. Minister Tuomioja also had a bilateral meeting with a representative of the National Transitional Council of Libya.
Peace mediation, a top issue on Finland's foreign policy agenda, was strongly present during the opening week. The Resolution on peace mediation approved by the General Assembly in June 2011 at the initiative of Finland and Turkey was accorded clear recognition. The UN Secretary General as well as many States said that the Resolution had provided a strong impetus for enhancing the effectiveness of UN peace mediation. Concrete ways of moving forward were discussed both at the Friends of Peace Mediation meeting for foreign ministers jointly hosted by the Finnish and Turkish foreign ministers and during the opening week’s general debate. Preventive diplomacy was also the main theme of the Security Council Summit organised by Lebanon.
At the symposium on international cooperation for combating terrorism, Minister Tuomioja stressed the importance of respect for human rights, equality and the principles of a state governed by law in preventing radicalisation and terrorism. By participating in the high-level meeting celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, Finland wanted to communicate its commitment to combating racism and discrimination. The Foreign Minister also attended the Alliance of Civilisations Ministerial Meeting, where he emphasised the special importance of dialogue in today’s world.
At the Nuclear Safety and Security Summit, Foreign Minister Tuomioja called for clear legislation and the definition of responsibilities in all nuclear energy countries. At the ministerial conference, he also presented an appeal that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would come into force.
The foreign minister had many bilateral meetings during the week. The minister met, among others, with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority and with the president and foreign ministers of Tanzania. He also had many bilateral meetings to support Finland's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. In addition, Foreign Minister Tuomioja organised meetings of the Nordic foreign ministers with representatives from Caribbean and Central American countries.
Additional information: Ambassador Jarmo Viinanen, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, tel. +1 917 353 2481, Katri Viinikka, Head of the Unit for UN and General Global Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 753 2730
- Speeches, press releases and news by Minister Tuomioja at the opening week(Link to another website.)
- More photos from the opening week(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)