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Colleagues, 

I have the honour of making this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. 

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War, a profoundly tragic chapter in the history of Europe and the world, is a moment for reflection and commemoration. It is the occasion to honour the sacrifices made and mourn the countless lives lost during and after the war. It is also an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to collaborating with all Member States of the United Nations to ensure a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future for generations to come. A future where the use of force and aggression to subjugate independent nations, where the strong abuse their power to replace democracy with authoritarian rule, and where hatred is weaponized to disenfranchise and even to exterminate entire peoples, is unequivocally condemned and consigned to history by the peaceful force of the UN Charter and international law. 

We pay tribute to the historic role of the allied forces and their sacrifices in the defeat of Nazism. We also recall that the Second World War brought about painful divisions in Europe and that for many Europeans the end of the war brought not freedom, but further subjugation and more crimes against humanity. 

As we reflect on this solemn anniversary, we are confronted with the painful reality that war has returned to the European continent.  The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We recall the resolutions of this General Assembly, calling for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in line with the UN Charter.

To build our common future, we must also be cognizant of how our history informs the present. It is crucial that initiatives commemorating the Second World War remain committed to historical truth and reconciliation. As such, we emphasize, in line with the UN Charter, that there can be no justification for an aggression against and attempted annexation of part of an independent, free and peaceful UN Member State.

Colleagues,

The UN Charter was the essential response to the tragic legacy of the Second World War. And so are the Geneva Conventions. We must recall that across continents, conflicts and wars continue to fester, demanding a collective response to guarantee peace and human rights. 80 years on from the end of the Second World War, we are reminded of the solemn responsibility entrusted to us: to remain true to our collective commitment to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and to ensure that the horrors of war are never repeated.

The European Union is itself a peace project, created in the aftermath of the Second World War to ensure armed conflict would never again be used as alternative to dialogue and cooperation. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the universal respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights. We unequivocally condemn all forms of antisemitism, racism, hatred, and discrimination, and call for further action to combat these phenomena. Holocaust remembrance is a key element for promoting tolerance, mutual understanding, cultural heritage, and intercultural dialogue.

In closing, as we honour the memory of those who suffered and perished in the Second World War, let us recommit ourselves to defending the international order based on international law with the United Nations at its core. Let us promote peace in all its dimensions, and reaffirm our determination to promote multilateral solutions based on the UN Charter. 

Thank you.
 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.