EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Election of Belarus to the Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EFTA countries Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova, Georgia, Andorra, Monaco, align themselves with this statement.

UN Member States have a common responsibility to uphold the UN’s fundamental principles enshrined in the Charter and defend the credibility of the UN system.

The Russian Federation's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, with the involvement of Belarus, grossly violates international law and the UN Charter, and undermines international security and stability. Russia, and its accomplice Belarus, bear full responsibility for this war of aggression. The resolution adopted by this Assembly on 2 March “deplores the involvement of Belarus in this unlawful use of force against Ukraine, and calls upon it to abide by its international obligations”.

Under these circumstances, the above-mentioned Member States dissociate from consensus regarding the election of Belarus for the UN Commission on International Trade Law.

We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people.