A/RES/49/57 Page 3 Bearing in mind the variety of mandates, scope and composition of regional arrangements or agencies, Considering that action at the regional level can contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, Emphasizing that respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State is crucial to any common endeavour to promote international peace and security, Emphasizing also that peace-keeping activities undertaken by regional arrangements or agencies should be conducted with the consent of the State in the territory of which such activities are carried out, Stressing the primary responsibility of the Security Council, under Article 24 of the Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security, Emphasizing further that the efforts made by regional arrangements or agencies, in their respective fields of competence, in cooperation with the United Nations can usefully complement the work of the Organization in the maintenance of international peace and security, Stressing the need to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements or agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security, Considering that such enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements or agencies would promote collective security in accordance with the Charter, Solemnly declares that: 1. In accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the role of regional arrangements or agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security, in particular Chapter VIII of the Charter: (a) The Members of the United Nations entering into such arrangements or constituting such agencies shall make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council; (b) The Security Council shall encourage the development of pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies either on the initiative of the States concerned or by reference from the Council; (c) The above provisions in no way impair the application of Articles 34 and 35 of the Charter; (d) The Security Council shall, where appropriate, utilize such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority, but no enforcement action shall be taken under regional arrangements or by regional agencies without the authorization of the Council;