MINSK, 26 November (BelTA) – The increasing gap between developed and developing countries in agro-economy and food security requires unhindered international cooperation, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the international organizations in Vienna Andrei Dapkiunas said in a joint statement on behalf of like-minded states condemning the practice of using unilateral coercive measures, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Permanent Mission in Vienna.
The document also stated that UCMs hinder the financing of transactions of major agricultural countries and the implementation of joint projects under the auspices of relevant international organizations as well as bilateral projects related to food security and aimed at providing support for those in need. This includes bans on agricultural cargo handling in the ports of some countries, as well as on transportation insurance, purchase and warranty maintenance of agricultural machinery and their spare parts. It involves also the ban on imports of certain sorts of fertilizers by some states as well as bans on the provision of transit services for delivery to other countries, equipment and components for their production.
The authors of the statement expressed serious concern and categorical rejection of UCMs, describing them as illegitimate and illegal. The statement noted that UCMs with extraterritorial application have become unprecedented and constitute a significant violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
Like-minded states called on UNIDO Member States to strongly condemn UCMs, not to recognize these measures and not to apply them, and to take effective measures to counter the extraterritorial application or impact of UCMs.
"In this regard, transfer of technology, capacity building, material support, and technical assistance play an essential role in securing sustainable development," the statement read. "The situation is aggravated by the impact of unilateral coercive measures applied by certain states and regional organizations without or beyond authorization of the relevant UN organ as well as because of over-compliance of businesses and other stakeholders with such measures. In particular, we express serious concern that these illegitimate and unlawful unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) and trade restrictions inconsistent with relevant WTO and other multilateral trade rules, have direct impact on trade flows and create additional difficulties to the countries in their efforts to eradicate hunger and all forms of malnutrition and ensure food security."
The document also stated that UCMs hinder the financing of transactions of major agricultural countries and the implementation of joint projects under the auspices of relevant international organizations as well as bilateral projects related to food security and aimed at providing support for those in need. This includes bans on agricultural cargo handling in the ports of some countries, as well as on transportation insurance, purchase and warranty maintenance of agricultural machinery and their spare parts. It involves also the ban on imports of certain sorts of fertilizers by some states as well as bans on the provision of transit services for delivery to other countries, equipment and components for their production.
The authors of the statement expressed serious concern and categorical rejection of UCMs, describing them as illegitimate and illegal. The statement noted that UCMs with extraterritorial application have become unprecedented and constitute a significant violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
Like-minded states called on UNIDO Member States to strongly condemn UCMs, not to recognize these measures and not to apply them, and to take effective measures to counter the extraterritorial application or impact of UCMs.
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