UN Praises EU as Vital Partner in Global Peacekeeping Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
By Nexio News | [Current Date]
New York — A top United Nations official has commended the European Union for its critical role in upholding international peace and security, calling the bloc a cornerstone of multilateral cooperation in an increasingly fractured world.
Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, delivered the remarks during Monday’s annual Security Council debate on UN-EU collaboration. He emphasized the EU’s outsized influence despite its relatively small population, praising its financial contributions, peacekeeping deployments, and diplomatic leadership.
A Pillar of Multilateralism
“In a world facing unprecedented challenges—from wars to climate crises—the EU stands as one of the most reliable defenders of the UN Charter,” Khiari said. He highlighted the bloc’s commitment to funding 42% of global Official Development Assistance (ODA) and financing a quarter of the UN’s regular budget, despite its member states representing just 5% of the world’s population.
The EU’s support extends beyond finances. Khiari noted its troop contributions to volatile missions like Lebanon and its backing of UN mediation efforts in conflicts where political solutions remain elusive. “Trust and dialogue are not optional—they are the bedrock of stability,” he stressed.
Ukraine: A Test for Global Order
The war in Ukraine loomed large in discussions, with Khiari calling Russia’s invasion a “direct assault on the foundations of European and global security.” As the conflict enters its fifth year, he urged warring parties to use the recent Orthodox Easter ceasefire as a stepping stone toward lasting peace.
“An immediate and unconditional ceasefire is the only path to a just resolution,” he insisted, underscoring the need for adherence to international law.
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas echoed the sentiment, accusing Moscow of orchestrating “one of the most egregious violations of the UN Charter in history.” She warned that Russia’s aggression, coupled with its support for Iran’s drone warfare, has destabilized global markets—triggering energy price spikes and fertilizer shortages from Sudan to South America.
Middle East Crisis and a Shifting World Order
Kallas also addressed the war in Gaza, describing it as a catalyst for worldwide instability. “The human cost is unbearable, and the ripple effects are felt everywhere,” she said, linking prolonged conflict to Russia’s strategic gains through higher oil revenues and diverted Western military resources.
Both crises, she argued, signal the collapse of the post-World War II order. “We are witnessing a dangerous shift toward power politics, where might outweighs rules,” Kallas said. Yet she reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to cooperation over coercion, urging UN reform to meet 21st-century threats.
A Call to Action
Looking ahead, Kallas challenged the Security Council to reflect on its legacy: “Will we cling to outdated systems, or dare to rebuild a fairer, more effective UN?” She invoked the organization’s founding mission—to “save succeeding generations from war”—and pressed for immediate action.
“The world is watching. History will judge whether we rose to the occasion.”
— Reported by Nexio News
