Mr./Madam President,

Thank you for convening this meeting. I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force. Security Council resolution 497 (1981) remains a cornerstone of the international legal position regarding the occupied Syrian Golan as reflected in this resolution.

For this reason we have voted in favor of the resolution presented today. Our vote today reflects our commitment to international law and to a rules-based international order.

However, the Kingdom of the Netherlands also believes that certain operative paragraphs do not sufficiently reflect the current realities on the ground after the Syrian Transitional Government assumed power, nor the continuing annexation by Israeli forces. This is a historic opportunity for the Syrian people, for a peaceful and just Syria. The Kingdom of the Netherlands encourages the Syrian Transitional Government to merge this resolution with the ‘occupied Syrian Golan’ resolution in the 4th committee and stands ready to constructively engage with an updated version.

We will continue to support efforts toward a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East—one that upholds international law and addresses the security of all communities.

Thank you.