Mr. President,
Switzerland voted in favor of the resolution and welcomes its adoption. At the start of 2024, the Council is sending out a strong signal reaffirming the importance of strict respect for the rights and freedoms of navigation in the Red Sea, in accordance with international law.
We thank the Japanese and US delegations for their efforts in seeking a consensus within the Council. We share our appreciation of the inclusion of several elements submitted by Switzerland, starting with the call for caution and for restraint in order to avoid a further deterioration of the situation in the Red Sea and in the region as a whole. We also welcome the inclusion of the threat that unlawful acts against maritime navigation pose to the safety of seafarers and the protection of all civilians in general.
With regard to the language of the third operational paragraph of this resolution, we would like to stress that the right referred to in this article is strictly limited to military measures to intercept attacks against merchant vessels and warships in order to protect the said vessels.
Finally, given the growing risks of regional escalation, we reaffirm the importance of the unity of the Council in maintaining international peace and security.
Thank you