EU Statement UN General Assembly: Informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate and promote the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures

EU Statement -- UN General Assembly: Informal meeting of the plenary to commemorate and promote the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures

4 December 2025, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Informal meeting of the General Assembly plenary to commemorate and promote the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures

Madam President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* align themselves with this statement.

The discussion on so-called "unilateral coercive measures" consistently fails to address a fundamental question: When the use of the veto paralyzes the Security Council, when major violators of international law undermine all diplomatic efforts, and when, as a result, grave violations of international law and the UN Charter continue unchecked, what should the international community do short of using military force?

For us, non-action is not an option. Ending acts of aggression, grave human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, or use of chemical weapons are key priorities for the whole UN membership.

In this context, sanctions remain an important tool to support diplomatic efforts. They are not a tool of coercion, but a peaceful means of last resort.

The UCMs narrative prevents the important discussion on the proper use of sanctions. It lumps all measures into one undefined basket, treating temporary, targeted, and proportionate sanctions adopted in accordance with international law the same as illegal measures and arbitrary economic coercion. It results in diverting attention away from the reasons why sanctions were imposed in the first place. And it conveniently distracts from the real question: How do we uphold the UN Charter when the Security Council is unable to intervene?

The paradox of the UCMs narrative becomes even starker when one considers that some supporters of this International Day -which, I remind, unilaterally declares "illegal" all so-called UCMs- have on separate occasions themselves requested sanctions to protect international law or democratic transitions. I recall that recently most proponents of this UCMs International Day called for the adoption of "targeted" or "restrictive" measures, "in accordance with international law," against violent settlers, illegal settlements, and those "acting against the principle of the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, through violence or acts of terrorism."

On its very face, this confirms that sanctions can be lawful, necessary and appropriate, even outside the Security Council's framework. So why support a campaign that indiscriminately condemns them all?

Madam President,

Moving from the broader context to the EU itself, let us be clear once again about what EU restrictive measures actually are.

They are targeted -- affecting only those responsible for serious violations of international law and human rights, not civilian populations. Our humanitarian exemptions are equivalent or even broader than the UN ones.

They are applied under a fully transparent and legal framework -- complying with international law and systematically scrutinized by EU courts where listed persons enjoy full due process rights.

They are limited - with no extraterritorial application.

And they are temporary in nature, as the case of Syria fully attests, where the EU swiftly lifted sanctions to support Syria's transition.

Madame President,

By stark contrast to EU sanctions, some of the loudest voices against the so-called "UCMs" themselves routinely adopt unilateral sanctions or weaponize trade, investment, and economic access, merely to impose their political interests on others - with no transparency, no judicial review, and no international legal justification. This is actual coercion, in addition to a blatant display of double standards.

What's worse, the UCMs narrative also distorts and politicizes a key and unifying UN priority - sustainable development. As all too many countries know through lived experience, conflicts, wars of aggression, atrocities, and internal repression are among the starkest root causes of underdevelopment - not the targeted measures responding to them. Let me in this context remind that the EU and its Member States remain by far the biggest providers of development aid and humanitarian assistance globally, consistently committed to protecting people from the effects of economic destitution, natural disasters, and war, and to supporting better lives and development conditions across the world, including in countries concerned by restrictive measures, be they UN sanctions or autonomous measures.

Colleagues, the European Union has always been open to engaging in constructive and facts-based dialogue on these issues. We fully agree, for example, that addressing unintended consequences of UN sanctions or autonomous measures is a concern that demands our collective attention. But this requires a spirit of constructive and facts-based dialogue, not artificial polarization.

Madam President,

As the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary facing some of the gravest challenges to the multilateral system, we call on all members to prioritize unity over polarization, universal principles over divisive campaigns, and genuine dialogue over disinformation.

When the Security Council fails, when diplomacy stalls, when atrocities continue, responding is not only legitimate but necessary to defend the UN Charter, and to promote peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights for all.

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.