March 11, 2025
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you High Representative Kaja Kallas for your briefing and participation in today’s meeting.
For the United Nations to accomplish its primary mission of promoting peace and stability, close cooperation between the UN, and regional and subregional organizations to uphold the principles of the UN Charter is essential.
The United States is closely linked to Europe through shared values and common history. 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 plays an important role in international peace and security, both in Europe and beyond. The EU and the United Nations should cooperate to meet the challenge of preserving peace.
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.
The EU contributes to implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya through Operation IRINI, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2292 and subsequent resolutions. This important mission is essential to ensuring that decisions of this Council are effectively carried out.
Madam President, terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The United States appreciates its partnership with the EU on counterterrorism efforts, including in encouraging effectiveness and results in the UN counterterrorism architecture.
President, as we sit here today, Europe’s greatest security challenge is the Russia-Ukraine war.
Fifteen days ago, this 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 – in this forum and others – to play a key role in providing security guarantees. 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.
We recognize 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.
President, regional organizations that uphold the principles of the UN Charter can be a valuable resource for the UN, a force multiplier that can magnify the impact of UN resources and achieve better outcomes. We encourage all Council members to continue to renew authorizations for the EU’s important work, including EUFOR Althea and Operation IRINI.
We encourage the EU to continue working closely with the United Nations, and particularly the Security Council, to promote peace and security for the European region and beyond.
I thank you.