Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Statement by Ambassador Anton Pinter of Slovakia to the Conference on Disarmament 19th August 2008

Unofficial Transcript

Thank you Mr. President
Mr. Presdient I begin my statement by congratulating you on the assumption of the last Presidency of 2008 and to look forward working with you and your team and the weeks to come. I wish to thank your predecessor Ambassaor Rocca and all members of the P6 for their tireless efforts and in bringing the CD back on track.

Mr. President, in regards to the last plenary session, I am instructed to bring to attention to the Conference on Disarmament the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia of 14th August relating to the situation in Georgia.

The position of the Slovakian Republic in settlement of the current situation in Georgia stems from the long term respect and support of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia in the framework of internationally recognized borders. All steps which threaten this principle are unacceptable for Slovakia.

Slovakia has always refused and will refuse in the future the use of force by any of the parties in the settlement of conflicts and of open issues including the disputes concerning South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Slovakia fully supports the mediation efforts of the French Presidency of the EU concerning the conflict in Georgia.

Slovakia position is full reflected in the conclusion of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 14th of August. As part of the settlement of the conflict in Georgia, Slovakia among other things, support the dispatchment of EU peacekeeping missions in that country. In the interests of settlement of humanitarian crisis. Slovakia has provided humanitarian aid of 5.6million Slovak crowns for all citizens of Georgia suffering from the armed conflict including refugees from South Ossetia.

I thank you Mr. President.