The President French

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.

I shall make the following statement on behalf of the members of the Security Council:

Fifty years ago, Europe saw the end of a war that afflicted the entire planet. It was primarily to preserve future generations from this scourge that the United Nations was created. The Security Council was given a special role in that effort, in that the Charter of the United Nations entrusts it with the principal responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

For this reason, it seems appropriate for the Security Council to pay tribute on this anniversary to all the victims of the Second World War and to recall the Council's firm desire to make every possible effort to help mitigate the human suffering that results from war.

I invite the members of the Council to observe a minute of silence in honour of the memory of the combatants and victims of the Second World War.

The President French

The Security Council has thus concluded its consideration of the item on the agenda.