Mr. President,

It is a great privilege for me to take the floor on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Agenda Item 21: Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Embargo Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba.

2. The Heads of State and Government of the Group of 77 and China at the Second South Summit held in Qatar in June 2005, condemned the use of economic coercive measures designed to prevent countries from exercising their right to decide their own political, economic and social systems and called on all countries not to recognize the unilateral extra-territorial laws enacted which impose sanctions on other states and foreign companies. The Heads of State and Government also recognized that the embargo had caused a high degree of economic and financial damage which had negatively impacted on the welfare and well being of the people of Cuba. They called upon the Government of the United States to put an end to the embargo.

3. More recently at the 31st Annual Ministerial Meeting of the G-77 and China, held in New York on 27 September 2007, the Ministers once again firmly rejected the imposition of laws and regulations with extraterritorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions against developing countries. The Ministers reiterated the urgent need to eliminate them immediately. They emphasized that such actions not only undermine the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law, but also severely threaten the freedom of trade and investment. They, therefore, called on the international community neither to recognize these measures nor apply them. The Group of 77 and China stands firm in rejecting unilateral measures as a means of exerting pressure on developing countries.

Mr. President,

4. The Group of 77 and China is committed to working towards a better world for all in which nations large or small could co-exist peacefully. The achievement of such peaceful co-existence among nations requires an adherence by all nations to the rule of law, including international law.

5. In conformity with the fundamental norms of international law, international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States."  the Group of 77 and China supports the need to eliminate coercive economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion.

6. The Group of 77 and China believes that continued imposition of an economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba violates the principles of the sovereign equality of States and of non-intervention and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs. international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States."

7. We believe that the replacement of the embargo with greater dialogue and co-operation will contribute greatly not only towards the removal of tensions but also promote meaningful exchange and partnership between countries whose destinies are linked by history and geography,

Mr. President,

8. Considering the impact that the Embargo has had on everyday life of the Cuban people, the overwhelming majority of Member States are here today in support of the resolution on the necessity of ending the Embargo. The Group of 77 and China will again support the draft resolution before us today and would urge all member states to do so as well.

I thank you.