On 21 November 2022 the UN General Assembly, recalling its resolution 66/111 of 9 December 2011 by which it granted observer status to the CEI, adopted the Resolution on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Central European Initiative by a recorded vote of 102 countries in favour to 5 against with 28 abstained. This was the first time a Resolution was put to vote (previous resolutions were consensus-based), since, among other issues, the document reflects the consequences of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Indeed, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the United Nations Lachezara Stoeva - in introducing the resolution (A/77/L.19) on behalf of the CEI in her capacity as CEI Presidency for 2022 - expressed the group’s strongest disagreement with the use of force against the territorial integrity of any State, referring, in particular, to Ukraine as a CEI Member State. Her statement was supported by the representative of the Republic of Croatia who underlined that the CEI countries could not remain silent when one of their fellow members was under attack. Many countries co-sponsored the Resolution.
Ambassador Stoeva also underlined that the Initiative was firmly committed to further strengthening this partnership and highlighted its continued efforts to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In summary, the document - accepted among others promoting cooperation with regional groups - acknowledges the CEI’s upholding the same values as the United Nations; the important role the CEI plays at intergovernmental, parliamentary, economic and local levels, in strengthening multilateralism, promoting solidarity and building a united, cohesive, secure and stable Europe; and as a promoter of political dialogue and flexible and pragmatic platform for regional cooperation and sustainable development of its Member States, and good-neighbourly relations also through the implementation of tangible projects and programmes.
It also highlights - among other actions - the CEI’s efforts in addressing the current challenges related to climate and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. With regard to the latter, it especially underlines the cooperation established between the Initiative and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EUROPE), through the establishment of the joint Task Force and in particular, the joint endorsement of the WHO road map for health and well-being in the Western Balkans (2021–2025) at the Summit of the Heads of Government of the CEI Member States under the Montenegrin CEI Presidency in 2021; moreover, it acknowledges the CEI’s contribution to alleviating the serious consequences, caused by the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, through increased political support and concrete assistance to Ukraine and its people.
Overall, the UN encourages specialised agencies and other organisations to establish cooperation with the CEI through common action aimed at achieving shared goals.
For more info: arsova@cei.int