Xavier Bettel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, paid a working visit to the United Nations on 22 and 23 February.
-
(fr. l. to r.) Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs ; Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
-
Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs
-
Working visit by Xavier Bettel to the United Nations in New York
-
(fr. l. to r.) French Minister of Foreign Affairs; Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs
-
(fr. l. to r.) Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs ; António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
-
(fr. l. to r.) Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs; Catherine Colonna, former French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
In New York, Xavier Bettel attended ministerial meetings of the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly marking the sad second anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The discussions focused in particular on the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine, the situation in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia and the situation of Ukrainian children affected by the war. In the margins of these meetings, the Minister had a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.
On this occasion, Xavier Bettel reaffirmed Luxembourg's full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight against the aggressor, Russia.
Xavier Bettel regretted that after his own speech to the General Assembly, the Permanent Representative of Russia left the room. This shows that there is no real willingness to engage in dialogue. Xavier Bettel also criticised the rewriting of history by the Russian authorities and the justification of the aggression against Ukraine by the fight against Nazism.
"Starting a war is not a sign of greatness in politics, it is ending a war that shows the greatness of a politician," pointed out the head of Luxembourg's diplomacy.
"Let us also recognise the strength of the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians are fighting. But they are fighting not only for themselves. They are also fighting for us," stressed Xavier Bettel.
During his visit to New York, Minister Bettel also met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. They discussed Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, stressing that this was a serious violation of the United Nations Charter. The situation in the Middle East, and in particular in the Gaza Strip, was also on the agenda. In this context, Minister Bettel reiterated Luxembourg's call for an immediate ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza. The importance of the release of all hostages held by Hamas was also underlined in this context.
Minister Bettel had talks with Catherine Colonna, Chairperson of the UNRWA Independent Review Panel appointed by the UN Secretary-General. He also took part in a discussion on the situation in the Middle East with representatives of countries in the region.
The Luxembourg head of diplomacy concluded his visit with a meeting with Japan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Kiyoto Tsuji, which provided an opportunity to take stock of bilateral relations, particularly in the field of air transport and space.
Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade