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30. 12. 09. - 16:00

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30. 12. 09. - 16:00

Foreign ministry praises Austria's UNSC membership

By Lisa Chapman

The Foreign Ministry today (Weds) claimed Austria’s rotating membership of the UN Security Council in 2009 had been a success.

Its highpoint, the ministry said, had been the UNSC’s unanimous approval of resolution 1894 protecting civilians in areas of armed conflict and calling on parties to such conflict to observe international standards for such protection.

It was approved during Austria’s November chairmanship of the Security Council.

The ministry added Austria’s other priorities at the UNSC had been the promotion of the rule of law, human rights, peace, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The ministry also said People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger had personally participated in efforts to bring the crisis in the Gaza Strip to an end that had occurred early this year.

Austria had condemned North Korea’s rocket tests at the beginning of April as "a clear and glaring violation of existing resolutions" and supported efforts to increase sanctions for the country, the ministry said.

It also claimed UNSC membership had given Austria an opportunity to strengthen itself "as a turntable for dialogue and a location for international meetings."

The ministry also said Austria would make the protection of civilians in areas of armed conflict a priority at the EU level in 2010.

Austrian Times

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