Addressing the UN General Assembly, Tuomioja noted that 110,000 people have been killed and 2 million have been forced to leave their homes in the strife-torn country. In his speech, which ended around 3 am Saturday Finnish time, the Minister lamented the fact that the UN has been unable to “end this appalling bloodshed.”
“The United Nations has not been able to act in its core domain, in maintaining peace and security,” Tuomioja said, continuing: “Both the Syrian government and the international community have failed to implement their Responsibility to Protect.”
The Social Democratic Minister saw the use of chemical weapons on August 21 near Damascus as a possible turning point in the conflict. He also asserted Finland’s support for the recently reached Security Council resolution to collect and destroy chemical weapons in Syria, and that a political solution through negotiations was the only way to bring an end to the conflict.
Tuomioja promised Finnish support in the securing of peace in Syria.
“The United Nations will have to have a strong presence in Syria also after the arms have silenced. Finland stands ready to contribute to a possible UN peacekeeping operation to be established in Syria.”
Tuomioja also addressed other issues in his speech at the UNGA General Debate, including Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, climate change and sustainable development.
