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• SPEECH OF SPEAKER SHALVA PAPUASHVILI AT FIRST PARLIAMENTARY SUMMIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMEA PLATFORM

  Speech of Speaker Shalva Papuashvili at First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform
  Zagreb, 25 October 2022

  Dear Colleagues and Friends,

  I am glad, even if with heavy heart, to speak to you at the first Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform among like-minded friends and partners of Ukraine in the period of the most difficult security challenges of modern times.

  On February 24, the Ukrainian people woke up under the rain of rockets. This may have caught many people in the West by surprise. But unfortunately, we, Georgians, Moldovans, Ukrainians, have known this all too well for many years now. Georgian people experienced this ruthless invasion in 2008, which is well known, but also in the early 1990s in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region.

  We have seen Russian tanks raiding Georgian villages and Russian airplanes bombing our hopes for the better future. We have witnessed hundreds of thousands of people expelled from the homes of their ancestors, escaping the massacre and ethnic cleansing, and finding shelter for their children and loved ones inside the cold walls for many months and years.

  There is only one answer from us, which is the same answer we had to Russian invasion in Georgia: we strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and illegal annexations of its regions.

  Russia must recognize Ukraine’s territorial integrity; must withdraw from the occupied territories; and must respect Ukraine’s independence.

  Ladies and gentlemen,

  Our experience of the invasions of 2008 and the 1990s provides us with at least three lessons:

  First, documenting all crimes of the aggression is key in serving justice and curtailing any temptation for others for similar aggression, no matter being part of the Rome Statute or not. Georgia co-authored the application to investigate Russia’s activities in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. Winning the legal battle matters in the long run.

  Second, maintaining unity and solidarity of international community matters until the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and of others similarly violated by Russia, is fully restored. Otherwise, Russia will not stop its military adventurism in its neighborhood and beyond. We voiced our solidarity to Ukraine in all major international organisations, and will continue to do so in future. Georgia also will not allow using Georgia’s territory and financial system to ease the effect of, undermine or avoid the existing international sanctions imposed after February 24.

  And third, the international community must insist on upholding the fundamental principles of international law. Violating the principle of territorial integrity by force is unacceptable and may only lead to the undermining of the international order. We have seen that neglect of aggression in the past has generated new tremors in the international system, which are more difficult to deal with now than in their early stages.

  Ladies and gentlemen,

  Georgia’s support to Ukraine is unconditional and timeless. We stand by the Ukrainian people, despite the fact that Georgia itself is under the existential threat as our own historic regions have been long occupied by Russia. We will not swerve from this commitment in the name of both Georgian and Ukrainian peoples.

  I wish Ukraine strength and victory in this epic fight for freedom and independence. Georgian people and government will always be with you.

  Slava Ukraini!

  Thank you.

• PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF TURKMENISTAN TO THE UN A.ATAEVA MET WITH L.THOMAS-GREENFIELD, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE USA TO THE UN

  On August 17, 2022, Ambassador A.Ataeva, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, met with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations at the Permanent Mission of Turkmenistan to the United Nations.

  During the meeting, a constructive exchange of views took place on the issues of the upcoming 77th session of the UN General Assembly such as priority areas of the two countries in the UN and UN reforms.

  Ambassador of Turkmenistan, at the beginning of the meeting, thanked the United States for supporting the UN General Assembly resolution "Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia", especially noting the positive statement delivered by the US representative following the adoption of the resolution.

  A.Ataeva talked in detail about Turkmenistan's priority positions at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, outlining initiatives in the field of peace and security, sustainable development, women parliamentarians, preventive diplomacy and transport.

  During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the reform of the UN, and the UN Security Council in particular. They agreed on the need for greater transparency in the work of the UN Security Council, as well as the reform of UN structures to avoid duplication of individual functions.

   

• Resolution presented within the framework of the UN General Assembly special session - "Humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine"

  On 24 March, the UN General Assembly adopted at its special session a resolution entitled "Humanitarian consequences of aggression against Ukraine."The resolution was co-sponsored by Ukraine and a group of countries (including Georgia).

  The main purpose of the resolution is to respond to the dire humanitarian situation in the country as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The resolution calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and for the protection of the civilian population, medical and humanitarian personnel. The Resolution condemns violations of international humanitarian law and human rights and calls on the parties to ensure safe and unimpeded movement for the population.

  The Resolution also requires that the parties fulfill their obligation to provide unhindered humanitarian access for humanitarian personnel, their means of transportation, supplies and equipment, to those in need within Ukraine and neighbouring countries. The resolution calls on the UN Secretary-General, member states, UN bodies and the international community to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to refugees. The resolution also welcomes the appointment of the Secretary-General’s appointment of a United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine.
  The resolution echoes the UN Secretary-General's call for Russia to end its military offensive and return to talks. It also requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to provide information to the General Assembly on the implementation of this resolution.
  At the same time, the Resolution underlines the efforts made by Ukraine's neighboring countries to receive IDPs from Ukraine and respond to their needs.
  The resolution emphasizes support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

   

  MFA Georgia 
• Inaugural speech of Serdar Berdimuhamedov – main theses

  The elected president of Turkmenistan took the oath and took office. At a solemn ceremony held in Ashgabat on Saturday, the new head of state delivered a speech.

  The inaugural speech of Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed that those vectors that were fundamental in the policy of the Turkmen state would continue and take a priority place on the agenda of the president. In particular, the head of state focuses on issues of internal socio-economic development at a new stage in the life of the country and in the context of international relations.

  “Our main goal,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, “is to ensure the stability and security of the Motherland, improve the living standards of the people, strengthen peace and mutual trust throughout the planet.

  Turkmenistan will continue to be committed to the course of neutrality, the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, equality, and constructive cooperation. The political positions of Turkmenistan in international relations remain unchanged, the President stressed.

  “We are open to all countries and peoples of the world and aim to develop trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and educational ties with them in the future,” said Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

  He defined as his main duty the provision of constitutional guarantees for the protection of the rights of citizens. At the same time, the President noted the role of the National Army in protecting the independence and neutrality, the stability of the state, the peaceful and prosperous life of the population, promising to strengthen the material and technical support of the Armed Forces.

  In his speech, the President outlined the development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan and its integration into the international energy system among the key areas. Serdar Berdimuhamedov also put forward as his goal the minimization of the negative impact of climate change and industry on the environment and human health, and the reduction of emissions.

  The environmental aspect, as follows from the speech of the head of state, will also be decisive in such large-scale construction projects as Ashgabat City and other reform programs in all regions of the country.

  The state will receive investment support for the electric power industry, both in terms of export diversification and in the development of renewable energy sources, including solar; agro-industry – for technical and technological modernization in order to expand the processing of agricultural products to saturate the domestic market and increase supplies abroad.

  Among the most important areas of work is the country's transport and logistics sector, which is capable of joining regional and continental routes as the core of the Great Silk Road with the maximum use of geographical and other competitive advantages.

  The government will focus on digitalization and support for entrepreneurship, especially technology enterprises, science and culture, education, healthcare and medical industry, sports, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

  One of the main tasks of the head of state was the strengthening of social and legal protection of citizens, support for large families. Providing each family with modern housing will be among the main concerns of the president.

• GLOBALink | 75 countries including China call for global solidarity for vaccine equity

  UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Some 75 countries, including China, on Friday called for global solidarity for vaccine equity at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

  The pandemic knows no borders. The only solution lies in global solidarity, unity and multilateral cooperation, said the countries in a joint statement.

  "We call on all states and stakeholders to strengthen solidarity and international cooperation to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences, ensure protection for those most affected, including women, children, youth, the older persons and persons with disabilities, and take measures to counter misinformation, disinformation, stigmatization, racism and xenophobia," said the statement, read by Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

  The joint statement recognizes the need to begin treating the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good for health. It commends the contributions made by relevant countries and platforms such as Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and its vaccine pillar, the COVAX facility, for promoting vaccine accessibility and affordability through bilateral and multilateral channels.

  However, vaccine equity is still far from being reached. The progress on vaccine roll-out has been widely uneven and unfair. Many countries, in particular the developing world, still lack adequate access to available and affordable vaccines, said the statement.

  "We are also worried by disturbing trend of vaccine nationalism and stockpiling of vaccine doses beyond need. In that regard, we welcome the World Health Organization's call to prioritize vaccinating the people most at-risk around the world who are yet to receive their first dose."

  The joint statement calls on all states and relevant stakeholders to step up coordinated and concerted efforts for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines in developing countries. It also calls on capable vaccine-producing countries to translate their commitments into action and ensure timely and adequate delivery of vaccine support to receiving countries.

  The joint statement encourages support to the ACT Accelerator and COVAX and calls on international financial institutions and other international organizations to provide financial support for vaccine procurement and for strengthening production capabilities in developing countries.

  It welcomes the efforts of civil society, the private sector, academia and all relevant stakeholders in vaccine research, production and delivery, and calls on all states and all stakeholders to strengthen global solidarity and jointly promote the fair, affordable, equitable, timely and universal distribution and strengthen local production of vaccines around the world.

  Produced by Xinhua Global Service