G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING IN MOSCOW – CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Moscow
30 Jun 06
Chairman’s statement
G8 foreign ministers met in Moscow on 29 June 2006 to discuss a
range of global and regional issues of primary importance to the
international community.
The meeting focussed on Iran’s nuclear programme and on the Middle
East peace process. We exchanged views on issues of post-conflict
stabilization and reconstruction, strengthening peacekeeping capacity
in Africa, G8 partnership with the BMENA [Broader Middle East and North
Africa] region, as well as discussed recent developments in Iraq,
Afghanistan, Western Balkans/Kosovo, Sudan/Darfur, Northern Uganda,
East Timor, Haiti.
Iran
We reiterate our commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian
nuclear issue, which remains a source of international concern,
as highlighted by the resolutions of the IAEA [International Atomic
Energy Agency] Board of Governors and the presidential statement of
the UN Security Council.
We endorse the Vienna Declaration as delivered by [British] Foreign
Secretary Margaret Beckett on 1 June. The Vienna meeting of the
"six" resulted in far reaching proposals agreed by the foreign
ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom,
the United States and High Representative of the European Union for
a long-term comprehensive agreement with Iran based on mutual respect
and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively
peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. An agreement of this sort
would allow the Iranian people to enjoy the benefits of modern civil
nuclear power and would bring Iran many other long-term political
and economic advantages.
We are disappointed in the absence of an official Iranian response
to this positive proposal. We expect to hear a clear and substantive
Iranian response to these proposals at the planned meeting of Javier
Solana, the high representative of the European Union, and Dr Ali
Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council,
on 5 July and to bring these discussions to a rapid conclusion.
We understand that foreign ministers of China, France, Germany, Russia,
the United Kingdom, the United States and the high representative of
the European Union will assess the situation before mid-July.
Counterterrorism and narcotics
We considered the draft G8 Declaration on Counterterrorism with
the annexed G8 Statement on Strengthening the UN’s Counterterrorism
Programme and endorsed its submission for consideration by the G8
leaders at the St Petersburg summit. We welcomed the results of the
International Ministerial Conference on Drug Trafficking Routes from
Afghanistan that took place on 26-28 June 2006 in Moscow.
Middle East
We reiterated our commitment to a negotiated, comprehensive, just and
lasting settlement in the Middle East. The G8 common goal remains the
creation of a viable, democratic and sovereign Israel and Palestine
living in peace and security side-by-side within internationally
recognized borders.
The foreign ministers acknowledge the democratic, fair and free
parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in January
2006. We call on the government of the Palestinian [National]
Authority to commit itself to the principles of nonviolence,
recognition of the right of Israel to exist, and acceptance of the
previous Israeli/Palestinian agreements consistent with the Quartet
statements as of 30 January, 9 May, and 17 June 2006.
We welcomed Prime Minister [Ehud] Olmert’s and President [Mahmud]
Abbas’ pledge to negotiations and urge both parties to avoid
unilateral measures which prejudice the final status of the Palestinian
territories.
We call on the Palestinian government to bring terrorist violence to
an end and to take immediate measures to liberate the abducted Israeli
soldier. We condemn the extremist groups responsible for these acts
and all those who jeopardize the prospects for peace.
We call on Israel to exercise utmost restraint in the current
crisis. The detention of elected members of the Palestinian government
and legislature raises particular concerns.
We call upon all parties to protect all civilians and not to add to
their suffering. We urge them to assume their full responsibility to
restore security, allowing for the resumption of the peace process
and for returning to the road map.
Concerns were expressed over the severe humanitarian situation in the
Palestinian territories. We reiterated firm commitment to continue
providing assistance to the Palestinian people. The foreign ministers
expressed support for the temporary international mechanism and in
this regard noted the Quartet statement of 17 June, which endorsed
this mechanism, and encourage other donors, including other countries,
to consider early and substantial contributions.
We agreed that movement and access are key, and in this regard we call
on both parties to fully implement the Movement and Access Agreement
of 15 November 2005.
Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their support for the restoration of the
Israeli/Palestinian political dialogue in the spirit of the road map
and based on the UNSC Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515.
Western Balkans
We reaffirmed that the Contact Group remains actively involved in the
Kosovo future status process with UNSC Resolution 1244, the guiding
principles and the 31 January London ministerial statement being the
basis of its activities. We expressed our support for the efforts of
the special envoy of the UN secretary-general, Mr.Martti Ahtisaari,
which are within the scope of the abovementioned documents.
We welcomed the launch of direct BelgradePristina talks and in this
regard we urge the parties, including the Kosovo Serbs, to negotiate in
good faith and make every effort to reach a negotiated agreement. We
underlined that Kosovo must remain multiethnic. The Kosovo leadership
should pay particular attention to implementing the standards for
national minorities defined by the international community.
We note that the UN Security Council remains actively engaged in
the matter.
We also agreed on the necessity for Bosnia and Hercegovina to continue
constitutional reforms.
Korean Peninsula
Foreign Ministers reiterated the G8 commitment to the denuclearisation
of the Korean peninsula, and expressed full support for the six party
talks. We urge North Korea to promptly return to the talks without
preconditions and to cooperate in implementing the joint statement of
19 September 2005 in good faith. We also discussed other security and
humanitarian issues, including abductions, in North Korea, and urge
the DPRK to address these concerns of the international community,
and to respect existing security commitments.
African peacekeeping capacity building
The foreign ministers noted the report on strengthening Africa
peacekeeping capacity, agreed upon at the meeting of the G8 officials
and those from other key donor partners held in Moscow on 8 June 2006,
and reaffirmed previous G8 commitments in support of the efforts of the
African states to build a peaceful and stable Africa. We acknowledged
progressive implementation of decisions taken at the Sea-Island
and Gleneagles summits. The G8 has been consistently increasing
its contribution to the African peacekeeping capacity building,
including through provision of coordinated technical assistance to
the creation of African Stand-by Force as well as through setting
up and making functional national peacekeeping training capacities
regional training centres for African peacekeepers both in Africa
and in other parts of the world (including the Centre of Excellence
for Stability Police Units) in Vicenza, Italy.
We noted the steps taken so far bring us closer to the implementation
of the Sea-Island commitments to train and equip about 75,000
peacekeepers mainly from Africa. We acknowledged the need to enhance
African logistics capacity, including through provision of equipment,
equipment depots and support for a transport and logistics arrangement.
Cooperation and future action in stabilization and reconstruction
The foreign ministers discussed the draft G8 declaration of Cooperation
and Future Action in Stabilization and Reconstruction, proposed by
the United States. We agreed that the rapidly changing international
environment and evolution of new threats and challenges demands more
agile, adaptable responses from the international community. We
underlined that the UN and its Security Council as well as the
newly established peacebuilding commission are primary players in
international peacekeeping and S&R operations. We welcomed the US
Initiative and will remain involved in the matter.
BMENA
The foreign ministers reiterated the G8 adherence to the comprehensive
partnership with BMENA with a view to promoting peace, stability,
freedom and democracy for all the peoples and nations in the region
in accordance with the commitments made at the Sea-Island and in
Gleneagles.
We agreed that the basis of our cooperation with the BMENA countries
peer-to-peer dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect for the cultural
and religious peculiarities, social patterns and traditions.
The foreign ministers welcomed the commitments on modernization
and reform made at the Arab League summits in Tunisia, Algeria and
Khartoum, as well as recognized the role of the "Forum for the Future"
as the central mechanism for sustaining the dialogue between the G8
and the BMENA region.
Iraq
The foreign ministers reiterated the G8 commitment to Iraq’s
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We expressed
the G8 support for the permanent Iraqi government, commend its
reconciliation initiative and urge it to continue active efforts
towards achieving national accord, which is critical for improvement
of domestic political situation, strengthening the public order and
security, as well as for Iraq’s sustained socio-economic development.
We call on the international community, in particular the UN,
international financial institutions, Iraq’s neighbours and regional
governments to respond to this new era in Iraq’s development by
offering broad support for Iraq’s new government and its people
including in responding to the Iraqi government’s proposal for an
International Compact.
The foreign ministers strongly condemned the barbarian killing of the
five members of the Russian embassy to Iraq and demanded capture and
fair punishment for the culprits of this villainy. This tragic event
underlines the importance of improving security for all in Iraq.
Afghanistan
The foreign ministers welcomed the successful holding of National
Assembly and Provincial Council elections and formation of a new
government, and underlined the G8 support for effective implementation
of the commitments made by the international community and the
Afghan government within the framework of the London Conference
on Afghanistan, including the Afghanistan Compact, and taking into
account that more responsibility for providing security, political and
socio-economic recovery falls on the Afghan government. Afghanistan
can be fully confident that the G8 will continue providing all-round
support and assistance to its formation of peaceful, independent and
prosperous state, without Taleban heritage, terrorism and narcotics.
We welcomed ISAF’s [International Security Assistance Force] expansion
southward, to deal with ongoing security challenges, and call on
regional states to contribute constructively. We also expressed support
for the UN’s continued role, including more robust monitoring and
coordination. We condemn attacks by Taleban and al-Qa’idah terrorists
on innocent civilians, Afghan forces and officials and international
military and civilian personnel. The foreign ministers reiterated the
G8 commitment to helping Afghanistan with governance, human rights
and the rule of law.
Sudan
The foreign ministers expressed support for the peacebuilding process
in Sudan on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, political
settlement of the conflict in Darfur and negotiated solution to other
problems in Sudan.
We stressed the need to provide assistance to Sudan in order to
ensure its post-conflict recovery and improvement of the humanitarian
situation in the country, and in this regard we call on donors to
fully implement their commitments made at the conferences in Oslo
(April 2005) and in Paris (March 2006).
We welcomed the Abuja Agreement of 5 May 2006 as the basis for
political settlement in Darfur. We also stressed the importance to
ensure a sustainable peace in the region, and to this end we call
on all parties to implement this agreement, including ending all
atrocities, and urge all forces and groups operating in Darfur to
join fully in its implementation. The foreign ministers underlined
the need for the international community to provide additional support
to the AU to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities under Abuja. In
view of the last decision adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council
and the recent UNSC Resolution 1679, we committed to do our utmost to
implement these steps aimed at transforming the mandate of the AMIS
[African Union Mission in Sudan] to the UN-led peace-keeping operation
in Darfur. We welcomed the joint AU/UN Technical Assessment Mission
in Darfur. We call upon the Sudanese government to cooperate. We also
call on the governments in Chad and Sudan to prevent clashes in the
border districts, provide for the protection of the refugee camps in
Chad, maintain good neighbourly relations and resolve emerging issues
through dialogue and cooperation.
The foreign ministers expressed support for the negotiation process
between the Sudanese government and "Eastern Front" aimed at a
comprehensive political settlement in Eastern Sudan.
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement
The foreign ministers affirmed the support of the G8 for the mediation
efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, United
States, France).
We emphasized the need for the soonest agreement on basic principles of
a peaceful settlement of the conflict to be reached still in 2006. We
call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to show political will with the aim
to reach an agreement this year and prepare their peoples for peace
and not for war.
Northern Uganda
Concerns were expressed over the current situation in Northern Uganda,
its serious humanitarian consequences. The foreign ministers welcomed
the steps taken by the government of Uganda to improve the situation,
including the recent creation of the Joint Monitoring Committee and
cooperation with the governments of the neighbouring DRC [Democratic
Republic of Congo] and Sudan in tackling the criminal acts of the
Lord’s Resistance Army, and put an end to the humanitarian crisis in
Northern Uganda. We call on the international community, including
the UN, to intensify efforts in providing support to overcome
humanitarian problems, including assistance to the implementation
of the government’s programme of resettlement of IDPs [internally
displaced persons] and to DDR (disarmament, demobilisation and
reintegration).
Haiti
The foreign ministers discussed the situation in Haiti, noted certain
improvements after presidential elections, as well as expressed concern
about the persisting difficult humanitarian situation and security
environment. We reiterated the G8 support for the UN Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) including its renewed and strengthened
mandate and reaffirmed that long-term international commitment is
required. We urge the international community to support the pledging
conference on 25 July in Haiti.
East Timor
The foreign ministers discussed the situation in East Timor, expressed
their concerns and emphasized the need to help the government of East
Timor to restore stability, law and order in the country. In this
regard we note the significant contribution and the quick response
by Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Portugal. The International
community should expeditiously respond to the flash appeal of OCHA
[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] issued on 12
June 2006. We emphasized a major constructive role of the United
Nations Office in Timor Leste (UNOTIL).
Other issues
There was a discussion on the issues related to Abkhazia, South
Ossetia, the Dniester region and Belarus, raised by some of the
ministers.
We also discussed UN embargoes violations through illicit air transport
of SALW [Small Arms and Light Weapons].