Asselborn attends first security council meeting

(CS) Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn on Monday attended his first meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

Asselborn took part in a public debate on the fight against terrorism. The debate was chaired by Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and was aimed at taking stock of the UN's global counter-terrorism strategy.

The strategy no longer only includes security measures, but also addresses the protection of human rights and the analysis of conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism. In a bid to provide a more comprehensive approach to the issue of the threat of terrorism the strategy aims to combine security, rule of law, development objectives and the protection of human rights.

Speaking at the meeting, Asselborn talked about the importance of development and progress in helping to diminish the appeal of terrorism. He added that tolerance, dialogue and respect of diversity had to play a part, as much as democratic values, human rights and good governance.

However, he also pointed out that sanctions had to be administered quicker and more effectively.

In his closing remarks, Asselborn said that Luxembourg was committed to addressing the root causes of terrorism and to defending human rights in the prevention of oppression. He added that Luxembourg as an international centre of finance was aware of its responsibilities, and therefore followed a modern and coherent set of rules and regulations in regards to money laundering and the funding of terrorism.

On his visit to New York the Foreign Minister also met with a group of permanent representatives from several African countries to discuss the latest developments in Mali and the Sahel. Asselborn also took part in a working breakfast of the Security Council together with Ban Ki-moon.

Asselborn also met with several officials for bilateral talks, including Pakistan's Foreign Minister and Palestine's UN representative Riyad Mansour.