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Statement by Lithuania on behalf of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the UN General Assembly plenary meeting, Agenda item 63 ‘use of the veto’ on Thursday, 11 April 2024.

Mr. President, 
I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and my own country Lithuania. We align ourselves with the statement by the European Union.

President,

This plenary meeting of the General Assembly has been convened because one permanent member of the Security Council – Russia – decided to block the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We strongly condemn this destructive action by Russia, once again undermining the authority of the Security Council and misusing its responsibilities as a holder of a permanent seat.

Over the past 14 years the Panel of Experts has played a crucial role in providing credible, fact-based and independent assessments on the implementation of the UN sanctions addressing DPRK’s illegal nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile related programs. Russia’s veto took place right after the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service visited Pyongyang to ask for the delivery of new weapons from March 25 to 27, and at the time when the Panel of Experts have launched its investigation into Moscow's violations of the arms embargo imposed on the DPRK. The latest report by the Panel of Experts pointed also to sea transfers between the DPRK and Russia, where the traded containers, allegedly hundreds, were later transferred to south-west Russia. They also indicated that debris from the DPRK’s missile was found on Ukrainian soil. Let us be very clear: Russia has been purchasing arms and ammunition from Pyongyang to be used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The flagrant disregard for international norms and regulations displayed by DPRK and Russia is eroding the very foundation of the global disarmament and non-proliferation framework and endangering global security and stability. Using veto right as a means to conceal unlawful arms transfers between DPRK and Russia cannot be tolerated. We call for a thorough investigation by the United Nations into this serious matter of illegal arms transfers in contravention to the UN Security Council resolutions. 

President,

Similarly to Russia’s use of veto for terminating Syria’s cross-border mechanism and dissolving the Panel of Experts on Mali, the current case of dismantling of the DPRK’s Panel of Experts by Russia is yet another proof that this P5 member is not only abusing its veto power to cover up its own illegal actions, but it is also using veto to sustain the illegal actions of its geopolitical “client” states who have become complicit in Russia’s war against Ukraine. This dangerous and irresponsible behavior should not be tolerated, and the UN membership should find an alternative way to preserve the work of the experts.

President,

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania resolutely condemn the DPRK’s pursuit of its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs in blunt violation of multiple Security Council’s resolutions. It is important to underline that UN sanctions regime remains in place, despite Russia and DPRK’s efforts to undermine it. There can be no other solution than Russia and the DPRK complying with their obligations and ceasing all illegal actions which are a direct cause of human suffering and destruction of the civilian critical infrastructure. The international community must continue its work on restrictive measures to detect, expose and counter individuals and entities that allow or encourage DPRK to violate UN Security Council resolutions, including through its growing military cooperation with Russia.

We strongly support international efforts towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK. We call on the DPRK to cease all destabilising actions on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, to abide by its international obligations and re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community.

Thank you, President.