Credit: MAEE
Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, yesterday confirmed the Grand Duchy's commitment to "positive international cooperation", at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Minister Asselborn began the final day of the UN's 74th General Assembly session with a meeting with Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of the Ibero-American Summit, to discuss the latest developments in Latin America and to examine possible ways of strengthening cooperation between Luxembourg and the Ibero-American Summit member states.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister also met with his Maltese counterpart, Carmelo Abela, to sign a bilateral agreement on reciprocal protection and the exchange of classified information.
Jean Asselborn then participated in an event organised by the Alliance for Multilateralism, which met in New York for the first time at the ministerial level. This alliance represents a flexible framework of cooperation bringing together committed states to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation. Luxembourg has shown support for the initiatives launched within the framework of the alliance, particularly one aimed at promoting respect for international humanitarian law.
Indeed, Minister Asselborn participated in a high-level round table as part of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations. In his speech, he underlined the importance that Luxembourg places on "support[ing] a model of positive international cooperation". He added that this was "because the main challenges we face today - climate change, socio-economic inequalities, conflicts, technological progress, migration, globalisation - can only be solved collectively, and primarily through an effective multilateral approach, at the heart of which is the United Nations". He also pointed out that "Luxembourg is a fervent supporter of an international order based on rules, rights and laws",
Jean Asselborn also represented Luxembourg at the first High Level Dialogue on Financing for Development since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015. On this occasion, he stressed that "the challenges before us are enormous, and the many crises and emergencies, such as the fires ravaging the rainforest in South America, illustrate the scale of the urgency and the importance of our commitment to our planet".
Minister Asselborn concluded his visit to New York with a meeting with his Chilean counterpart, Teodoro Ribera. The encounter focused on strengthening political and economic relations between Luxembourg and Chile and led to the signing of a mutually beneficial bilateral agreement in the area of air services.
