“The United States is closely linked to Europe through shared values and common history,” noted U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, Chargé d ’Affaires ad interim at the United Nations.
“Our national story and our form of government have their origin in the political philosophy that originated on the European continent. From that shared heritage, we derive our commitment to democracy, freedom of expression, the rule of law, religious freedom, respect for individual rights and liberties, and economic opportunity. The United States stands firmly behind these universal principles.”
“The EU and the United Nations should cooperate to meet the challenge of preserving peace,” urged Ambassador Shea.
“For example, in the Western Balkans, EUFOR’s Operation Althea supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of a multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina, as authorized by this Council. Given persistent threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity, we continue to look to EU leadership to ensure EUFOR Althea is fully resourced to continue carrying out its mandate.”
“We also welcome the EU’s support for regional peace and security through its Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and the efforts to advance Serbia’s and Kosovo’s normalization for regional stability,” said Ambassador Shea.
But clearly, today, “Europe’s greatest security challenge is the Russia-Ukraine war,” said Ambassador Shea.
“[T]his Council adopted a landmark resolution, put forward by the United States, calling for an end to the war. The United States, as President Trump has made clear, is committed to ending the war and achieving a durable peace. We are counting on Europe and the European Union to help facilitate and to help underwrite that peace.”
Once a durable peace has been achieved, it will be more urgent than ever for the EU and its Member States to play a key role in providing security guarantees, stressed Ambassador Shea.
“Europe must be strong, resilient, self-sufficient to ensure not just peace and security in Europe, but to be a true partner in ensuring international peace and security.”
The United States recognizes the important role of European countries in welcoming millions of Ukrainian refugees and leading contributions they will make to Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and security.
“We encourage the EU to continue working closely with the United Nations,” said Ambassador Shea, “and particularly the Security Council, to promote peace and security for the European region and beyond.”
