PORT OF SPAIN: 23RD MARCH, 2022
Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, today – Wednesday 23rd March 2022, received several Heads of Mission in Port of Spain who undertook a Démarche to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and, in particular, the support for and co-sponsorship of, the United Nations General Assembly draft resolution entitled “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine.”
The Démarche was led by His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, who was accompanied by Her Excellency Ute König, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany; His Excellency Sándor Marnix Raphaёl Varga van Kibéd en Makfalva, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; His Excellency Fernando Nogales Álvarez, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain; Her Excellency Harriet Cross, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; His Excellency Sharad Kumar Gupta, High Commissioner for Canada; His Excellency Didier Chabert, Ambassador of the French Republic; Mr. Shante Moore, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of United States of America; Mr. Yasuhiko Kamada, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Japan; and Mr. Sanjin Soldatic, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union.
At the outset, Minister Browne reiterated Trinidad and Tobago’s ongoing deep concern at the horrific developments in Ukraine and noted that there was more work to be done on the diplomatic and humanitarian fronts. The Heads of Mission expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago’s strong support in joining calls for the cessation of the invasion in Ukraine and for the mitigation of the humanitarian impact of the crisis on civilians. There was also general agreement about the importance and vigorous pursuit of diplomatic solutions to the crisis.
The UN draft resolution is being tabled today and articulates, inter alia, the following:
- Support for the efforts of the UN (and its coordinating role) and humanitarian organisations to help the Ukrainian people;
- Demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities – especially against civilians;
- Urging humanitarian access and considers the broader consequences of the war, including for food security worldwide; and
- Encouraging the continuation of negotiations towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In this regard, Minister Browne expressed Trinidad and Tobago’s strong support for the resolution and noted that this country’s position has been consistent across multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States, and was in keeping with the position maintained by most countries throughout the world.
