UN General Assembly
2005

Let me begin, Mr. President, by congratulating you upon your election as President of the General Assembly and assure you of my country’s unwavering support for your endeavours. Your previous experience at the United Nations ensures that under your guidance the Assembly will continue to promote the values and principles of our Organization. I also wish to extend our sincere thanks to the outgoing President, Mr. Ping. His tireless efforts in all fields, particularly in the preparations for the High- level Plenary Meeting, have been exemplary. Greece fully subscribes to the statement delivered earlier by the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom on behalf of the European Union, as well as to the European Union priorities presented to the General Assembly. I would also like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his relentless efforts to promote peace and security and to safeguard the moral authority and the pre-eminent role of our United Nations. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, we continue to face many threats and challenges that undermine the basic values and principles of our