Address

by

H.E. Kinga Göncz

Minister of Foreign Affairs

of the Republic of Hungary

at

the Sixty First Session

of the United Nations General Assembly

September 25, 2006

Madam President,

May I first of all congratulate you warmly as the third female President of the United Nations General Assembly. I firmly believe that the involvement of women into the decision-making processes at national and international level may contribute to the better management of today's global problems. In fulfilling your challenging tasks during the 61^st session, you may rest assured of the support and co-operation of the representatives of the Republic of Hungary. I also wish to salute your predecessor, Ambassador Jan Eliasson, who served us with distinction, dedication, an innovative spirit and a good sense of humour. He has made great efforts and achievements to advance the reform of the United Nations.

During the 2005 World Summit, our Heads of State and Government agreed to proposals with the potential to adapt the world organisation to the realities of our contemporary world. While we have accomplished only modest reforms so far, we should also remind ourselves that the UN reform is more of a process than a single event.

Madam President,

In order to foster public confidence in the United Nations, we must agree on a substantial management reform with greater accountability and transparency, and a better allocation of resources. The reform process should include all main bodies of this organisation including the General Assembly, which - in our view - has to remain the most important deliberative body of the organisation.

Hungary supports the expansion of the Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories to reflect better the political realities of today. However, new approaches need to be identified to facilitate a compromise to emerge. The enlargement of the Council should be combined with enhanced efficiency and improved working methods.

Hungary condemns all forms of terrorism instigating fear and distrust in our daily lives. It is our firm conviction that the UN should remain a key player in the international fight against the scourge of terror. It is, therefore, natural that Hungary welcomes the recent adoption of the United Nations new Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the elaboration of a comprehensive convention on terrorism by the General Assembly.

The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission was one of our top priorities. We believe that the Commission is well equipped to deal with fragile post-conflict situations.

Madam President,

With the establishment of the Human Rights Council, the international community has opened a whole new chapter in our joint efforts to protect human rights. My Government has wholeheartedly supported this ambitious project right from the outset.

We sincerely hope that with the completion of the Council`s first year of existence, an adequate machinery will be put in place to address the challenges of the 21<sup>st</sup> century. The Universal Periodic Review is one of those initiatives on the Council`s agenda which holds the promise of making a real difference. The full and unhindered participation of non-governmental organisations in the activities of the Council has also vital importance for us.

Protection of minority rights, including that of national minorities is a pivotal element of Hungary`s human rights policies. The turbulent history of our region has all too often demonstrated the potential of inter-ethnic tensions in triggering crisis situations. Ethnicity based conflicts at present and in the past must remind one and all: multiethnic societies are in desperate need of a sensitive and careful approach to minority issues, sound legal arrangements, generosity in practice and firmly embedded institutional guaranties safeguarding the rights of minorities.

Madam President,

The interdependence of democracy and human rights is clearly demonstrated in countries and regions with a deficit of democratic practices. As the late Sergio Viera de Mello, former High Commissioner for Human Rights had stated so eloquently: "Imperfect as the ship of democracy may be, no other vessel has proven as sea-worthy in bringing us safely to the shores of human dignity."

Driven by the policy objective to promote democracy, a year ago the Government of Hungary launched the International Centre for Democratic Transition in Budapest. The Centre intends to provide guidance on transition in a supportive manner by collecting experience from past democratic transitions, and sharing it with those who are determined to follow this path. Hungary fully supported the Secretary-General’s decision to establish the United Nations Democracy Fund. Being a member of the Advisory Board and a contributor to the UNDEF, we are pleased to recognise that the Fund's approved projects properly reflect local, regional and global demands.

Madam President,

Fifty years has passed since the citizens of Hungary rose up against a brutal dictatorship, demanding democracy, human rights and dignity. The totalitarian regime crushed the dreams of the Hungarian Revolution and took cruel revenge when returned to power on the top of foreign tanks.

The spirit of 1956, however, was not to be defeated. Fifty years ago, the Hungarian revolution began with a peaceful demonstration to show solidarity with the Polish nation. Today, I am proud to confirm that Hungary will show solidarity with every nation that seeks freedom and democracy for its people.

It is my moral obligation to express our profound respect for the activities of the dedicated politicians and diplomats who kept the so called "Hungarian Question" on the agenda of the world organisation for several years. Hungary will never forget the devotion of Povl Bang-Jensen, the Danish UN officer, who served as a secretary of the UN Commission entrusted with the examination of the Hungarian events in 1956. His efforts and sacrifice made for the sake of the Hungarian Revolution have been inscribed in our collective memory for ever.

Madam President,

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems constitutes a major threat to international peace and security. The most important challenge faced by the international community in this context is non-compliance with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). My Government sincerely hopes that the next NPT review cycle will ultimately bring tangible results, and urges all nations to make genuine contributions to that effect.

Madam President,

Working out lasting solutions for the pending issues of the Western Balkans is of paramount importance for peace and stability in the European continent. Hungary is confident that the success of the status talks in Kosovo depends on the ability of the parties to build mutually acceptable arrangements, which, in turn, requires a proper time frame. A functioning multicultural society in Kosovo is inseparable from the sincere implementation of standards, respect for minority rights and effective decentralisation, all being essential preconditions for a successful outcome of the status talks.

Hungary is fully committed to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It is essential to revitalize the peace process on the basis of the Road Map and other agreements accepted by the parties concerned. Israel has the right to live in peace and security, and the Palestinians have their right to an independent and viable Palestinian State, peacefully co-existing with its neighbours.

Peace and stability in Lebanon are vitally important for the entire Middle East. The international community, along with the parties concerned, must make every effort to ensure the swift and full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

The Republic of Hungary is strongly committed to building a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Our resolve has been manifested by my Government`s recent decision to take over the leadership of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Baghlan Province. Though major efforts are undertaken by the international community to assist the reconstruction process in Afghanistan, the primary responsibility for the stabilisation and development of the country lies with the Afghan people themselves.

Hungary remains gravely concerned about the prolonged dramatic security situation in Iraq. We welcome the resolve of the Iraqi Government to engage all communities in order to achieve reconciliation and strengthen national cohesion. Let me reiterate hereby Hungary’s continued commitment to assisting the people of Iraq in their endeavour to build a free and prosperous country.

The deteriorating situation in Darfur is another matter of grave concern. The Government of Sudan should agree to the swift deployment of the UN peace keeping force with the mission to impede the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. In this regard, Hungary also hopes that the coming session of the General Assembly will bring advances in elaborating the important concept of "responsibility to protect".

Madam President,

Six years ago, the governments of the world made a solemn pledge to strive for eliminating global poverty by signing the Millennium Declaration. There remains a lot to be done till date to achieve the objectives set out in the Millennium Development Goals - both in developing countries and the donor community, but also here at the United Nations. We need to make sure that development, in rich and poor countries alike, is sustainable. As a new EU member, Hungary is gradually increasing her official development assistance and recognises the special development needs of the world’s poorest regions.

In conclusion, Madam President, I would like to thank and commend the outgoing Secretary-General for his tireless efforts during the last 10 years, often under difficult and challenging circumstances, to promote the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. His devotion, diplomatic skills and vision earned him profound respect all over the world.

Thank you, Madam President.