Finally, I would like to see the phenomenon of internal displacement in the broader perspective of human rights and security. At the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights the clear link between human rights, democracy and development was reaffirmed, while security issues were not addressed. Now, after the terrible tragedies in the Balkans, in Rwanda, and elsewhere, it is increasingly recognised that human rights and national as well as international security are equally strongly linked. This concept underlines also our policies, and should contribute to a further mainstreaming of human rights into all our activities. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in his commendable report to the Security Council on the issue of civilians in armed conflict has stressed the absolute necessity of confronting the issue of displacement.
Legal principles are only as good as is their implementation.
Therefore, this Colloquy is facing the challenge of identifying concrete ways and means to promote and strengthen the Guiding Principles and their use. We have the framework and principles, we have the institutions, and we have the determination. We only need to apply them effectively. Francis Deng is showing us the way. I wish you all success and assure you of Austria's continued support.