Thank you Chair.

I have the honour to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the European Union and its Member States in relation to draft resolution entitled 'Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)' under Item 125(b).

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

The European Union and its Member States continue to support the Resolution on 'Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation' and encourage further cooperation between both organizations guided by a shared commitment to maintaining international peace and security, respecting human rights, as well as defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

With this said, we need to once again express our deep disappointment that despite repeatedly raised strong objections from the EU and its member states, the reference to the OIC 2025 Programme of Action has been maintained in the draft before us. 

The EU reiterates that language contained in the OIC 2025 Programme of Action has to be fully consistent with UN General Assembly and Security Council Resolutions and in full respect of international law and the UN Charter, including notably the principle contained in Article 2.7.  

In this regard, we wish to put on record that the provisions of the 'OIC 2025 Programme of Action' related to Cyprus are not consistent with relevant existing Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions, notably UNSC Resolutions 541(1983) and 550(1984). These resolutions declare illegal and invalid the unilateral declaration of independence of the secessionist entity in the occupied part of Cyprus. They also call upon all states to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus and not to recognize, facilitate or in any other way assist the secessionist entity. We therefore disassociate ourselves from consensus on this PP.

Once again, we reiterate our expectation that the OIC will not misuse its status in the UN General Assembly to promote an illegal secessionist entity and we also call upon the OIC to refrain from adopting positions that undermine international law and the UN Charter, as well as efforts undertaken by the UN Secretary General for the settlement of the Cyprus Question, in accordance with the agreed basis, as prescribed in the relevant UN SC resolutions.

We wish to underscore our strong support for the cooperation between regional organizations and the UN that should always be in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.

Elsewhere, we wish to state that OP8 of today’s resolution refers to resolution 78/264, on which the EU abstained. As mentioned during the adoption of that text, in March 2024, it falls short of fully meeting the requirements of international human rights law; it diverges from the inclusive approach to combating intolerance, hate, discrimination and violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief.

The EU continues to have reservations against the regarding creation of a Special Envoy, as proposed in OP8, both because of potential as we are concerned with duplication with other mechanisms, and because of projected financial implications. We strongly believe that a Focal Point would be more appropriate, making use of existing structures and resources.

The EU trusts that its position will be taken into account in the future so that it can continue to support this resolution.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.