Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to welcome you all to Kadriorg/the Rose Garden. It seems like a mini-United Nations Summit, you represent 5 continents.
In a globalised world geography does not matter, we can be close when there is the will and the interest to enhance mutually beneficial relationships.
In recent years I have been honoured to encounter many of you for various reasons, be it the presentation of your credentials here in Kadriorg, on bilateral visits or during meetings with your heads of state.
You, as ambassadors, are bridges between your own countries and Estonia. As such, I cordially thank you for your commitment to deepening our cooperation. For this, mutual high-level visits are important, I encourage you to come as often as possible and to bring your delegations to visit Estonia. During this challenging period in history, good relationships are of the greatest value.
Excellencies, dear friends,
We need collaboration for achieving sustainable peace – help Ukraine to end the Russian aggression, find solutions to tensions in Africa, to the conflict in the Middle East and multiple other crises around the world. Together we must tackle also other global challenges, fighting the terror and achieving the climate goals.
First and foremost, the main protector of world peace and security must be the UN Security Council. If we wish for better outcomes, we must make the UN relevant again. The UN Charter gives us all the means to protect it.
The Council needs to be reformed, as it no longer reflects the geopoliticalreality. There should be a fair distribution between continents and regions. Small, medium-sized and large states should be represented to ensure a balanced Council that truly speaks for the entire world.
The most pressing UNSC issue today, of course, is the misuse of veto powers, which paralyses the council far too often. Hence, I strongly advocate for the reform of the UN Security Council and look forward to our discussions during the UNGA79 in September in New York.
This leads me to the second topic: Ukraine. We are coming closer to the International Peace Summit in Switzerland. My advice would be to all the world leaders who value the rules based international order and UN Charter, to be present.
Together we can set the framework for peaceful solution of the Russia’s war against Ukraine. This war has taken too many lives, it has challenged the global food security, impacted global inflation, disrupted the supply chains and most importantly, it has contributed to increased geopolitical risks, it affects us all, so we must put an end to it.
Russia has forced an unjust war on Ukraine; no one can force an unjust peace upon it.
Another source of great concern is the situation in the Middle East. Tensions there will not dissipate until a solution is found for the future of Palestine that addresses both the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the security of Israel.
For us, time signifies the start of a new day on our calendars. For those who are fighting on a battlefield, or live under a hail of bombs, or who are fleeing from the war, or suffering famine, every second means the risk of losing their life. They count time in human lives. It is our duty to cooperate to bring the change and secure that there are better times ahead.
Excellencies,
There is no doubt that the future will surprise us with new challenges, but it is always more productive to face these challenges alongside your partners and friends. Together we can make a difference. Our cooperation, strength and goodwill will lead to peace.
As such, I thank you all for attending these Information Days. I hope your meetings tomorrow prove inspiring and that you have a lovely time in Estonia. I would also like to thank our Ministry of Foreign Affairs for organising these days.
Now, however, it is time to relax and enjoy the best time of the year in Estonia, and our white nights.
