28/09/2009 Session
In his opening speech the President recalled that he had stressed on several occasions how important it was not only to have a vote, but also to ensure that it is a strong vote, showing significant political support for the future Secretary General. “I therefore believe that, after the events of the last few months, the person elected to the head of this organisation, whoever he or she may be, will not have the slightest doubt that the confidence shown by the Assembly will have to be earned – and that we will be vigilant and demanding,” he said. He also welcomed the agreement between Armenia and Turkey on a normalisation of their relations, and the agreement between Croatia and Slovenia to resolve the territorial conflict that had been latent between them since the break-up of Yugoslavia. “Normally we are the ones who give our member states the good examples to follow. This time it is for us to follow these two excellent examples,” he concluded.