Azerbaijan takes its place on UN Security Council

On 1 January, Azerbaijan took its place as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the first South Caucasus country to be elected to the world body. Azerbaijan will occupy one of the ten non-permanent seats on the Council for a period of two years. It was elected by a vote in the General Assembly in the Autumn.

Azerbaijan was joined by four other newly elected non permanent members, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo.

Diplomats describe the current atmosphere in the Security Council as very tense, with the world powers divided on issues such as Syria and Iran. "It is like the Cold War," said one Western diplomat, according to Agence France Presse. The Agency also quoted Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin as saying that the Council's work could be "seriously hurt" if the tensions persist.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliev described his country's election to the UN body as the biggest victory in the 20 year history of Azerbaijan since independence. "We have earned the confidence of the whole world in a difficult struggle", he told the nation in his New Year's address.

Commonspace political editor said in a comment: "Azerbaijan's political and diplomatic skills will be tested over the next two years through its performance on the UN Security Council. There will be difficult decisions to make, and countries have a habit of remembering who voted for and against them when sensitive votes take place in the Security Council. Azerbaijan will have to balance its immediate and long term national interests and will need to be sensitive to those blocks of countries that supported its election to the world body, such as the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

However if it pursues a sensible policy there is no reason why Azerbaijan will not emerge from the process with a better position in the international arena. The danger will arise if the work in the Security Council is used for domestic political purposes, but this is unlikely."

source: commonspace.eu

photo: The UN Security Council in session on 21 December 2011 (picture courtesy of the United Nations)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.