中東情勢に関する安保理公開討論における別所大使ステートメント

Thank you, Mr. President and thank you to the Special Coordinator, Mr. Mladenov, for his briefing.
           
          Japan remains committed to supporting a two-state solution. The final status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations based on the relevant Security Council resolutions and known parameters. We must continue to encourage the parties to find resolution through negotiations. Japan will remain engaged with both sides and will continue to promote confidence-building measures.
 
          Continued settlement activities as well as the demolition of Palestinian-owned structures, about which Mr. Mladenov briefed us today, undermine the viability of a two-state solution. Japan once again urges Israel to cease these activities.
          We are also deeply concerned about continued violence both in Gaza and the West Bank. We strongly condemn violence and terrorism against innocent civilians, and call upon the parties to take immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence, provocations and incitement.
          Last month in the General Assembly, President Abbas of Palestine announced his intention to hold general elections. Elections are fundamental for democracy. We call on all the parties to take the necessary measures for free and fair elections and hope that elections will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
 
          Japan firmly believes that we can shed light on the pathway for peace and security by offering hope to Palestinians for their future and helping them maintain their dignity.
          In this regard, Japan believes UNRWA’s assistance to Palestine refugees plays a crucial role. We have already disbursed more than 32 million U.S. dollars this year and will soon provide additional assistance of around 11 million U.S. dollars for education, water and sanitation, as well as food assistance.
          Although the agency is facing a difficult time, Japan will continue to support it, together with other international partners, through multi-dimensional contributions.
          We believe that every country can contribute to creating an environment conducive to peace efforts. In 2013, Japan, together with regional partners, initiated the “Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development,” or “CEAPAD,” to assist Palestine in its economic development by utilizing the resources and experiences of East Asian countries. An increasing number of countries and partners from civil society and the private sector as well have joined this initiative, and we hope still more will do so.
 
          Let me conclude by briefly addressing wider regional issues. Since energy resources and many other goods are transported from, to, and through the Middle East, peace and security in the region, including securing the safety of navigation, is extremely important for international peace and prosperity, including for Japan. Therefore, the current high tensions in the region are of serious concern. Japan believes that continued diplomatic efforts are needed to decrease the tensions and stabilize the situation. In cooperation with relevant parties, we will make further diplomatic efforts to this end.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.