Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN Mr. Sven Jürgenson
We can cross this finish line here together today, knowing that humanitarian aid will cross Syria’s borders tomorrow. Millions of people will continue to get help they so desperately need.
The tireless efforts of Belgium and Germany – their Permanent Representatives and teams – have ensured another one-year long lifeline to the people in Idlib. We thank you for your dedication, and pay our highest respects to all the humanitarian workers on the ground.
This final compromise was not easy to come. Moscow once again played delaying tactics, trying to create friction among Council’s members, who already twice voted in favour of penholders’ proposals. Only to see these texts vetoed two times by Russia and China.
It is a direct result of Moscow pursuing its political and military goals in Syria – instead of standing up to protect humanitarian principles.
We condemned this kind of irresponsible playing with human lives in January, and we do it again today. Moving from four crossings half a year ago to one today will have disastrous consequences for millions of civilians in Syria.
As many others here, we voted in favour of penholders’ resolution today for one reason only – so that these people could stay alive and resist this injustice!