in French

General Assembly
Fifty-second session
51st plenary meeting

21 November 1997

Mr. Erdös (Hungary)
(interpretation from French):

My delegation associates itself with the statement made on this agenda item by the representative of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union.

The unprecedented changes that have radically altered the world's political landscape have opened the door to the establishment of the rule of law and to democratic development in an increasing number of countries throughout the world. Accordingly, new or restored democracies are characterized by a wide range of situations.

The region of Central and Eastern Europe, in which my country is located, has played a special role in the great changes that we are all witnessing. I would recall that the epicentre of cold-war ideological and military confrontation was located precisely in Central and Eastern Europe. In this context, I note that my country is proud of the significant role it played in the events that led to the dismantling of the political and psychological iron curtain that divided the two parts of Europe for so long.

In recent years, the profound changes on the international scene in Europe and elsewhere have made the worldwide process of democratization irresistible. This process is, however, far from complete. We must continue to strive tirelessly to promote democratization and to consolidate democratic institutions where they already exist. We must recognize without complacency that many challenges remain to be addressed throughout the world, such as the persistence of oppression and the overt or more subtle attempts to distort democracy. It is precisely because the young democracies in some parts of the world are so fragile that the international community must continue to help them to confront the dangers awaiting them, within and without.

In our era of globalization, we must bear in mind that national objectives can be achieved only if democracy, political stability and well-being are established and strengthened not only at home, but among one's neighbours as well. In this context, the proper functioning of democratic institutions, the positive performance of a market economy and the conduct of an open and rational foreign policy are essential if the multifarious problems arising within our societies and among our States are to be successfully addressed.

The depth and intensity of the process of democratization cannot, of course, be identical in all the countries where this process is under way. This shows the great variety of conditions in which this qualitatively new international situation is coming about. But in any event the great surge towards democracy in each of the countries concerned must reflect the universal values that are the basis of democracy and must reflect the will of the people- of which Governments, we must always remember, are merely the expression.

Even though, for political and historical reasons harking back to another era, democracy does not appear as a point of reference in the Charter, it is, as the report of the Secretary-General notes, more essential than ever to United Nations activities. Today's goal is to integrate democracy into the activities of the United Nations in various fields. We therefore welcome the readiness of the world Organization to give practical assistance to Governments in establishing States based on the rule of law.

Hungary is among the sponsors of draft resolution A/52/L.28, which was introduced this morning by the representative of Romania. This is because we agree with its political message and because we are aware that, with the end of the bipolar world, it is important for us to ensure that democratic governance is given the importance it deserves. We note, however, that the text of the draft resolution would benefit from editorial improvements in both the preambular and operative parts, to avoid redundancies and awkward diction.

The process that began almost 10 years ago brought together this year at Bucharest, the capital of Romania which, I should note, was an ideal and meaningful venue for such deliberations - many countries that have joined the great family of democratic nations. We expect not only that this process will continue, but that the number of participants in this great enterprise of building democratic societies will continue to grow.