International efforts to protect sea lanes and fight piracy can be effective only if all nations cooperate in good faith, according to the established rules of the international customary law and UN conventions, including those protecting the jurisdiction of the flag state in international waters.

This august Organization can expect no less from each member state, and especially from those members that aim to have a decisive influence on the rules of global governance.

Any erosion of the sending state’s exclusive jurisdiction over servicemen on official duty would jeopardize the status of our agents on international missions. Consequently, it would also undermine the sustainability of UN peacekeeping missions.

By the same token, we must not tolerate any breach of diplomatic missions, whose inviolability must be respected. And we firmly condemn any proposition that violence is an acceptable response to speech.

Transnational organized crime also requires a collective response grounded in the rule of law and the principle of shared responsibility. With the UN Office on Drug and Crime Italy has actively contributed to, and co-financed (with Colombia), a Digest to promote implementation of the Palermo Convention by illustrating best practices. The Digest is a practical tool for law enforcement officials and prosecutors. It will be officially presented next month in Vienna, on the occasion of the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.

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Mr. President, The United Nations is called on to play a key role in conflict prevention, the settlement of disputes, and assistance for crisis-management and nation-building, in cooperation with regional organizations. Despite the current financial juncture, Italy continues to do its part in crisis-management, peace-keeping and stabilization missions. Our expertise and resources – both military and civilian – will remain engaged in a number of critical theatres, especially Afghanistan and Lebanon. This commitment constitutes a heavy burden but one we deem a worthy investment for the sake of the common interest. In this light, helping Somalia to recover its integrity and dignity will remain high on my Government’s agenda.