The EU and the UN: partners for a purpose

Abstract

If there is one thing that 27 EU member states agree on it is that we all believe in rules-based multilateralism. We repeat, almost mantra like, that we want a strong UN as the beating heart of the multilateral system. The Security Council is the world’s highest multilateral authority and it has the last word on matters of peace and security. I was very pleased to address the Security Council on the EUUN cooperation and to express the EU’s strong support for the UN’s work, with concrete contributions in many areas and especially on peace and security. At the same time, it was an important occasion to call on those that sit on the Security Council to take their responsibilities. At a time of global crisis, we need a Security Council able to take the necessary decisions and not one that is paralysed by vetoes and political infighting.