At the outset, I wish to thank today's briefers for their comprehensive prese...

At the outset, I wish to thank today's briefers for their comprehensive presentations. Turkey welcomes the Council's increased attention to protection issues, including its adoption last November of resolution 1894 (2009), which was a significant step in this area. We also attach importance to recently adopted resolutions on women and peace and security and children and armed conflict. There is no doubt that the primary obligation to protect civilians lies with States. However, the international community also has a shared responsibility to help to protect civilians in situations where States fail to do so. We therefore need to build collective awareness of the importance of that responsibility. We must also be able to agree on fundamental guidelines. The updated aide-memoire, which has been adopted today, provides a useful guide for improved analysis of key protection issues.