The Ukraine crisis dominates the Foreign Minister’s talks in New York

16.03.2022 – 20:44

Principality of Liechtenstein

Vaduz (ots)

Government Councilor Dominique Hasler was in New York from March 14 to 16, 2022 for a working visit. Together with UN Secretary General António Guterres, she explained the situation regarding the war in Europe, Liechtenstein’s position on the Ukraine war and the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The timing of the working meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres is of particular importance due to the current situation. The focus of the conversation was the unreserved support of the UN General Assembly in condemning the aggression against Ukraine and the criminal investigation of the war in Ukraine. Since the start of the Ukraine war, Liechtenstein has expressed clear positions on aggression against Ukraine.

The role of the OSCE and the prospects for a political solution to the war were discussed with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Chairman of the OSCE for 2022, as well as the dramatic refugee situation in Poland and the need for humanitarian aid. In discussions with the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflicts, Pramila Patten, the reports of sexual violence against refugees and the massive risk of human trafficking as a result of the enormous movement of refugees were discussed.

At the same time, Government Councilor Dominique Hasler represented Liechtenstein as head of the delegation at the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, at which 120 states were represented at the political level. The main topic was climate change and its particular impact on women and girls. Even if climate change does not differentiate between the sexes, women and girls are still particularly affected by its effects. After a natural disaster, they often have more difficult access to food resources and education and also increasingly have lower incomes. The government councilor took part in a roundtable on this topic, as well as side events on the situation in Afghanistan and on the importance of educating women and girls in the STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology).

In her speech, Government Councilor Dominique Hasler addressed Liechtenstein’s contributions in the area of ​​climate protection, including the fund launched jointly with the ICRC to support the International Committee of the Red Cross in the transformation to sustainable work. She also presented the progress of the “Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking” initiative, with which Liechtenstein is fighting modern slavery and human trafficking together with its own financial center and international partners. Like many other speakers, the government councilor acknowledged the important role played by women in Ukraine and their resilience in the fight for peace and the sovereignty of their country.

Government Councilor Hasler also took the opportunity to pay a short visit to the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University, with which Liechtenstein diplomacy has maintained an intensive relationship for many years. The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination supports research, publication and teaching on topics such as self-determination and state sovereignty.

In her lecture “Freedom and self-determination in times of aggression”, government councilor Dominique Hasler also addressed the long-term effects of the Ukraine war on the international order. “The attack on Ukraine is also an attack on the international rule of law and a direct attack on the principles of the United Nations – the guardian of state sovereignty for Liechtenstein,” said the government councilor in her remarks.

Press contact:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Education and Sport
Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York
Myriam Öhri, Deputy Ambassador
T +1 212 599 02 20

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