UN Secretary-General highlights global significance of a peaceful Europe

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, has said that recent crises in Europe show that the continent remains at risk from new outbreaks of conflict, calling for reinforcing mutual trust and respect to strengthen stability and cooperation both within Europe and beyond.

During a UN Security Council meeting, Mr. Guterres said that crises in Europe could also adversely impact economic progress and sustainable development.

He went on to say, "Conflict in Europe is not only a tragedy for those directly involved, those killed, injured, displaced, who have lost loved ones, who may be unable to access healthcare and are missing vital years of their education," Mr. Guterres said, "It is also reversing development gains and preventing communities and societies from achieving their full potential and contributing to regional and global prosperity."

Noting that no single factor is responsible for the emergence and continuation of conflicts, he said that in many cases, peace agreements were "simply not being implemented."

Other factors included challenges to democratic governance and the rule of law, and the manipulation of ethnic, economic, religious and communal tensions for personal or political gain.