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Azerbaijani Permanent Representative briefs UN Security Council

22 February 2012 12:01 (UTC +04:00)

Ambassador Mehdiyevâ€™s statements came as he briefed the UN Security Council during an open Council debate on the latest situation in West Africa and the Sahel region.

The Council also expressed concern about the increasing violence perpetrated by armed groups, exacerbated by the spread of weapons from within and outside the region, and it welcomed regional initiatives

Ambassador Mehdiyev said that growing transnational threats continued to undermine governance, economic development, stability and peacebuilding activities in West Africa and the Sahel. While the countries of the regions were making strides in overcoming serious challenges of the past, such threats required â€œcontinued serious attentionâ€.

â€œStronger commitment with respect to an international order based on the rule of law is essential for cooperation among States in addressing common challenges,â€ he added, stressing that it was clear that countries of West Africa and the Sahel must be supported by the United Nations and the wider international community.

According to Ambassador Mehdiyev, the rise of piracy was another challenge requiring a concerted effort by countries and organizations of the regions, with support from the international community.

"Indeed, pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea had increased in recent months and were undermining peace and stability, as well as political and socio economic development in surrounding countries".

Azerbaijan looks forward to the Councilâ€™s debate on that issue, set to take place on 27 February.

The Ambassador also urged more action to promote inter-community and inter-religious dialogue, which Azerbaijan believed would bolster broader efforts to ensure peace, security and stability in the regions.

Finally, he said that overall success against transnational crime would depend on greater coherence between all stakeholders, and called on all countries to work together in a more coordinated manner.