​"We are satisfied with our constructive, reliable and responsible work" at the UN, says Mariano Rajoy

United Nations Secretariat, New York (United States)

In his statement to the media, the President of the Government recognised the work of Ban Ki-moon during his two mandates as Secretary-General of the United Nations. Furthermore, he stressed that the debate on people trafficking produced a tangible result. "A resolution - the first of its kind - that represents a fundamental step in the efforts by the international community to end these inhumane practices", he said.

Coinciding with the end of Spain's mandate as a non-permanent member of the Council on 31 December, Mariano Rajoy stressed that "our work has helped strengthen the credibility of the Security Council and improve the international situation within an extremely complex geopolitical context".

In this regard, the President of the Government highlighted that Spain has been the Chair of three committees associated with the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and, "with the utmost rigour and transparency", promoted a new Council resolution aimed at preventing terrorist groups from being able to gain access to them. Furthermore, Spain has provided "the Security Council with its extensive experience in the fight against terrorism", to which it brought the voices of the victims. In this regard, Mariano Rajoy recalled that a resolution on judicial cooperation in this field was adopted on 12 December.

The issues related to women, peace and security were also priorities for Spain, said Mariano Rajoy, as well as humanitarian issues. "As co-rapporteur on the humanitarian situation in Syria, Spain has worked hard on trying to guarantee protection for civilians and improve humanitarian conditions for the population", he said.

The President of the Government also said that new and even greater challenges are being faced in addition to traditional threats. "During the course of our two presidencies, we have promoted and organised special sessions to tackle such issues as climate change and cyber-security within a framework open to all Member States of the United Nations", he said.

The President of the Government went on to refer to the resolution on Aleppo approved on Monday, which he believes "represents a first important step towards alleviating the dramatic, intolerable and shameful situation being suffered by thousands upon thousands of innocent civilians".

"We are satisfied with our constructive, reliable and responsible work", said Mariano Rajoy, who expressed his support for António Guterres of Portugal as he assumes the position of United Nations Secretary-General on 1 January.

Statement on the attack in Berlin

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoDuring his press briefing, the President of the Government disclosed the statement of condemnation approved by the members of the UN Security Council.

The members of the Council most emphatically condemned the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack that took place on 19 December 2016 in Berlin, in which 12 people were killed and dozens more injured. Furthermore, they expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government of Germany.

They also reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They went on to reiterate that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

Similarly, they reaffirmed the need for all States to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, by all means available.

In the same regard, the members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these terrorist acts to justice, concluded Mariano Rajoy.

Spanish solidarity

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe President of the Government spoke with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, from New York to express Spain's solidarity with the victims and those injured in the attack carried on Monday at a Christmas market in Berlin.

Iñaki Ellakuría, a student from Bilbao, was injured in the attack and Mariano Rajoy is closely monitoring his progress.