Pakistan was among the 32 Member States who abstained from voting today in the General Assembly on the Resolution on the United Nations Charter principles underlying just and lasting peace in Ukraine that reaffirmed that no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal. The resolution received 141 votes in favor, seven against, and was adopted by the assembly. "Pakistan has abstained on the draft resolution contained in document A/ES-11/L.7" said Ambassador Munir Akram Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations while delivering am Explanation of Vote ( EoV). While fully supporting the resolution’s call for respect for the principle of the sovereignty, sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States and non-acquisition of territory by the threat or use of force, "States cannot be torn apart by the use of force" said Ambassador Munir Akram explaining the reason to abstention. Pakistan regreted however "that these principles have not been universally applied and respected for instance in the situation of foreign occupation and the on-going attempt at the illegal and forcible annexation of Jammu and Kashmir" said Ambassador. "While my delegation agrees with and endorses the principles and general provisions contained in the draft resolution, there are some provisions which are not consistent with Pakistan’s principled position on some of the elements covered in the resolution": he added. "As a country that has seen and suffered the consequences of prolonged conflict in our neighbourhood, we attach highest priority to the immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of a dialogue to achieve a just and durable solution – through direct or indirect negotiations, mediation or other peaceful means": he said. In this regard, Ambassador Munir Akram called the Secretary General, inter alia under Chapter VI and VIII of the UN Charter, to play his role for efforts aimed at de-escalation, renewed negotiations and sustained dialogue for a peaceful diplomatic solution. Pakistan continued to hope that, in a constructive approach, the parties will soon accept a mutual and early cessation of hostilities. "We also hope for the resumption of a dialogue for durable resolution of the conflict based on the principles of the UN Charter and past agreements, and bearing in mind the legitimate security interests of all States": said Ambassador Munir Akram Consistent with its position on the draft resolution in document A/ES-11/L.7, Pakistan had also abstained on the amendments proposed to the resolution by Belarus in documents A/ES-11/L.8 and A/ES.11/L.9. The Secretary-General Antonio Gueterres and President of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, Csaba K?rösi also made remarks during the session. Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, Yuriy Sergeyev had requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council in accordance with Articles 34 and 35 of the Charter of the United Nations focusing on the deterioration of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea, Ukraine, which threatens the territorial integrity of Ukraine. *-*-*-*-* ?
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