Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

From the outset I would like to congratulate His Excellency Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann for his election in the high and responsible position of the President of the sixty-third session and to pledge our full support and assistance as Vice President of the General Assembly. I would also like to commend His Excellency Mr. Srgjan Kerim for his consistent and constructive leadership during the last session.

Mr. President,

Our world is facing major problems and challenges that demand a strengthened and revitalized Organization, capable to address global issues. It is absolutely evident that our Universal Organization has to find global solutions to global challenges.

A reformed, strong and effective Organization should be able to address promptly and effectively crisis situations and threats to peace and security, including those related to disarmament and nonproliferation, climate change, food insecurity, spread of terrorism activities, while strengthening international law and ensuring respect of human rights.

We consider that the process of reforms of the UN system should contribute to the establishment of a modern architecture of international relations that would develop an effective cooperation in order to jointly overcome those challenges.

From this perspective, the Republic of Moldova fully supports the UN reform process in accordance with the main directions reflected in the Final Document of the Millennium Summit (2005), subsequent initiatives of the Secretary General and resolutions adopted on key aspects of the Organization’s structures’ and management reform.

We stand for strengthening of the ECOSOC’s coordinating role in developing global economic and social policies, promoting dialogue and intensifying cooperation with international financial, economic, trade institutions and Governments in attaining Millennium Development Goals, as well as for ECOSOC’s involvement in addressing humanitarian crisis situations and issues related to post-conflict reconstruction.

The decision to launch intergovernmental negotiations will bring a new impetus to Security Council reform and shall stimulate and increase the efficiency of UN activities in the field of international security and peace-keeping, including through developing cooperation with regional organizations and member states in identifying solutions to conflicts in different parts of the world.

The events occurred in South Ossetia (Georgia) have proved once again that frozen conflicts generate instability and threaten regional and international security. Consequently this requires the increase of the UN direct role and strengthening its cooperation with regional organizations, such as OSCE, in preventing and managing crisis and conflict situations, consolidation and increase in efficiency of international actions for stabilizing the situation in the states affected by internal tensions, complex approach to disputes mediation and settlement, as well as post-conflict rehabilitation and provision of humanitarian assistance to affected countries. Intensification of international cooperation in view of solving conflicts and excluding future emergence or escalation of similar crisis situations that threaten sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states are of paramount importance for the Republic of Moldova too, as we also face a “frozen” conflict in the eastern regions of the country.

The Republic of Moldova subscribed to the European Union Declaration regarding the degradation of the situation in South Ossetia delivered at the extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 8 August 2008 and calls for full implementation of the Peace Plan mediated under the French Presidency of the EU. At the same time, rejecting categorically all methods of settlement by force, including those of ensuring territorial integrity, the Moldovan Government does not consider however that the international recognition of Abkhazia and Southern Osetia will stabilize the situation. This makes nothing else but reduces the responsibility of the conflicting sides in finding a compromise between the nations and a way of identification of equitable and modern solution by respecting the territorial integrity and the observance of human rights and freedoms. The Moldovan Government will further determine its attitude towards the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia only in line with the Helsinki Final Act, the UN Charter and all the current principles of international law.

In the specific case of the Transnistrian conflict, the Republic of Moldova acted and continues to act consequently in accordance with the Law on the Basic Provisions of the Special Legal Statute of the Localities from the Left Bank of the Nistru River adopted unanimously on 22 July 2005 that provides for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict only by political means.

Considering that demilitarization and democratization of the Transnistrian region constitutes essential premises for a viable resolution of the conflict, Moldovan authorities are concerned by creation of necessary conditions to move forward the settlement process. The President of the Republic of Moldova has advanced a number of initiatives on confidence building and security between both banks of the Nistru River, particularly through ensuring freedom of movement, joint participation in the development and the implementation of projects on reconstruction and modernization of infrastructure and resolution of some social issues.

A strategy for the conflict resolution based on a complex approach, “package proposals”, to all conflict related issues: political, economic, social and humanitarian has been adopted. It envisages a special legal status for the Transnistrian region with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, consolidation of the neutrality statute and withdrawal of foreign troops from the country’s territory, recognition of the ownership rights and provision of solid guarantees for the population.

At the same time the activities of the EU assistance mission on the border of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) and its close cooperation with the relevant institutions from both states in charge of the border management contribute to the increase of security and transparency at the border which creates a more favorable atmosphere for the settlement process of the Transnistrian conflict.

At present our efforts, as well as those of mediators and observers, are directed to resuming negotiations in the 5+2 format in view of the final resolution of the conflict.

Mr. President,

Terrorist attempts that still occur in different parts of the world remind us once again about the fact that terrorism continues to threaten security, fundamental democratic values, human rights and the rule of law that lies at the basis of the UN Charter, and about the fact that this scourge can be overcome only through joint firm actions of the international community.

The Review meeting on the assessment of the implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (4 September 2008) emphasized both the progresses registered by the UN and its member states during the last years and the deficiencies in fighting international terrorism. We hope that the concrete objectives outlined by the Meeting will determine a larger engagement and involvement of the entire international community.

In this context I would like to reaffirm that the Republic of Moldova actively participates in countering terrorist threats by supporting the international community efforts and implementing internal measures. As party to 13 international conventions and other regional and bilateral treaties in this field, the Government takes concrete steps in fighting terrorism in accordance with the provisions of those instruments, of the relevant Security Council resolutions and national documents, including the National Strategy of Prevention and Fighting Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding. The Republic of Moldova also takes actions in this respect on the regional and sub-regional levels.

Following the activities pursued during the previous session of the UN General Assembly, the Republic of Moldova will undertake all possible steps for contributing to the UN’s actions in consolidating international legislation in the field of countering international terrorism, especially in view of finalizing development and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and organization of the High Level Conference on Terrorism under the UN auspices. We consider that in the framework of the above activities increased attention should be given to the issues related to fighting terrorism fueled by separatist tendencies that affect states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr. President,

Climate change is an inherent challenge of the sustainable development. Global warming and its effects including natural calamities and food and energy crises became major threats for the global population and international security. Its consequences affect the most vulnerable countries and can compromise economic growth and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

After the terrible drought of the last year whose consequences continue to be overcome, the Republic of Moldova was hit this summer by the most serious floods in the last two centuries that affected over 10,000 hectares of agricultural and private lands, destroying hundreds of houses and other buildings and caused damages exceeding 120 million dollars.

We would like to express our gratitude for the assistance provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), other specialized institutions, including UNDP, UNICEF and member states to eliminate consequences of the floods.

Adequate international, regional and national actions are needed to face these global challenges. Implementation of the outcome of the Climate Change Conference in Bali and the preparation process of the 2009 Copenhagen Conference offer real possibilities to find solutions for addressing the situation related to climate change. The Republic of Moldova fully supports the activity of the High Level Operational Group established and headed by the Secretary General. Development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for food security in cooperation with relevant UN agencies and Bretton Woods institutions constitutes an important step for overcoming the food crisis.

The UN and its member states should make their best in view of establishing and implementing long term national policies and strategies in the field of food security. Stimulation of agricultural production, promotion of sustainable extension of agricultural trade and ensuring fluidity of the international trade markets, properly balancing agricultural products for bio-fuel production and provision of assistance to the vulnerable countries and populations are just some of the actions that should be taken with out delay.

The Government of the Republic of Moldova undertakes concrete actions in view of reducing the food crises impact on the situation in the country, at present a national agriculture and food security program is being developed.

We consider that the High level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals held on 25 September and organization of the annual meetings on monitoring the engagement and implementation of these goals constitutes new important opportunities for impelling achievement of all internationally accepted development objectives. Their implementation is still possible in the majority of countries if conjugated actions directed towards concrete results will be established and continuously sustained and developed until the year 2015. In this regard, a global strategy is needed to stimulate comprehensive sustainable development and solid national strategies for reducing poverty, ensuring good governance, increasing public and private investment and intensifying productive capacity, so that all partners in development could unite their efforts for the continuous advancement of this process. To accelerate the progress focus on ensuring exchange of experience and application on a large scale of good practices that proved to be effective is also indispensable.

Mr. President,

The reliance on a better future and persistent activity in this sense are indispensable conditions for ensuring progress and development of any country. European integration of the Republic of Moldova based on firm conviction and desire of the country’s population to live in a modern, prosper and stable European state, remains a strategic objective of the foreign and internal policy of the state.

The progress achieved with the EU support in the implementation of the Moldova—EU Action Plan and adjustment of the national norms to the European standards open new opportunities for the Moldovan-European relations advancement. We highly appreciate constructive cooperation with the European Union in this process and continuously rely on the assistance of its member states in ensuring development and gradual integration of our country into EU.

At the same time we rely on the support and opportunities offered by the UN and member states in view of promoting political, social and economic policies of the country and European integration aspirations, ensuring settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict, withdrawal of foreign military troops and accomplishment of the development priorities of the country.

I would like to reiterate the attachment of the Republic of Moldova to the ideals of the United Nations and the commitment to continuously cooperate with the member states for achieving the important objectives of the Organizations.

Thank you.