Bookstore Glossary Library Links News Publications Timeline Virtual Israel Experience
Anti-Semitism Biography History Holocaust Israel Israel Education Myths & Facts Politics Religion Travel US & Israel Vital Stats Women
donate subscribe Contact About Home

UN General Assembly Resolutions: Resolution 49/81

(December 15, 1994)

The General Assembly,

Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject, including its resolution 48/81 of 16 December 1993,

Reaffirming the primary role of the Mediterranean countries in strengthening and promoting peace, security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

Bearing in mind all the previous declarations and commitments, as well as all the initiatives taken by the riparian countries at the recent summits, ministerial meetings and various forums concerning the question of the Mediterranean region,

Recognizing the efforts realized so far and the determination of the Mediterranean countries to intensify the process of dialogue and consultations with a view to resolving the problems existing in the Mediterranean region and to eliminate the causes of tension and the consequent threat to peace and security,

Recognizing also the indivisible character of security in the Mediterranean and that the enhancement of cooperation among Mediterranean countries with a view to promoting the economic and social development of all peoples of the region will contribute significantly to stability, peace and security in the region,

Recognizing further that prospects for closer Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in all spheres can be enhanced by positive developments worldwide, particularly in Europe and in the Middle East,

Noting with satisfaction the positive developments in the Middle East peace process that will lead to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region and therefore to promoting confidence-building measures and good neighbourly spirit among the countries of the area,

Expressing satisfaction at the growing awareness of the need for joint efforts by all Mediterranean countries so as to strengthen economic, social, cultural and environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean region,

Reaffirming the responsibility of all States to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Mediterranean region and their commitment to respect the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the provisions of the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,1/

Expressing its concern at the persistent tension and continuing military activities in parts of the Mediterranean that hinder efforts to strengthen security and cooperation in the region,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on this item,2/

1. Reaffirms that security in the Mediterranean is closely linked to European security as well as to international peace and security;

2. Expresses its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems of the region through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries of the Mediterranean and the right of peoples to self-determination, and therefore calls for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force or threat of use of force and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in accordance with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations;

3. Recognizes that the elimination of the economic and social disparities in levels of development as well as other obstacles in the Mediterranean area will contribute to enhancing peace, security and cooperation among Mediterranean countries through the existing forums;

4. Commends the efforts by the Mediterranean countries in the continuation of initiatives and negotiations as well as the adoption of measures that will promote confidence- and security-building as well as disarmament in the Mediterranean region, and encourages them to pursue these efforts further;

5. Welcomes with satisfaction the announcement by Algeria of its decision to deposit its instruments of accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,3/ and calls upon all other States in the region that have not yet done so to adhere to all the multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament, thus creating the necessary conditions for strengthening peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean region;

6. Encourages all States of the region to promote genuine openness and transparency in all military matters, particularly by participating in the United Nations system for the standardized reporting of military expenditures 4/ as well as by providing accurate data and information to the Register of Conventional Arms;5/

7. Also encourages the Mediterranean countries to strengthen further their cooperation in facing terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region and therefore to the improvement of the current political, economic and social situation;

8. Invites all States of the region to address, through various forms of cooperation, problems and threats posed to the region, such as terrorism and criminal acts, as well as illegal drug production, consumption and trafficking, which jeopardize the friendly relations among States, hinder the development of international cooperation and result in the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the democratic basis of pluralistic society;

9. Encourages the continued widespread support among Mediterranean countries for the convening of a conference on security and cooperation in the Mediterranean, as well as the ongoing regional consultations to create the appropriate conditions for its convening;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on means to strengthen security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region;

11. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fiftieth session the item entitled "Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region".

90th plenary meeting
15 December 1994

Notes
1/ Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.

2/ A/49/333 and Add.1.

3/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485.

4/ See resolution 35/142 B.

5/ See resolution 46/36 L.


Sources: The United Nations