Geneva: Switzerland on Wednesday said it was
bidding for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council
for 2023-2024, saying membership would help raise its profile
as an "honest broker."
"Today, the Federal Council has decided to register
Switzerland on the list of candidates of the Western European
and Others Group (WEOG) for a non-permanent seat on the United
Nations Security Council in 2023-2024," said the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in a statement.
"Membership of the Security Council would give
Switzerland a platform to pursue its interests in the field of
peace promotion and to raise its profile as an honest broker
and bridge-builder," it added.
Switzerland joined the United Nations only in 2002,
becoming the 190th member of the world body. This marks the
first time that it is bidding for a Security Council seat.
As a neutral state, Switzerland has played mediator in
several conflicts and also represents the interests of certain
countries locked in conflicts. Notably, it represents the
United States in Iran and Cuba. It also represents Russia in
Georgia.
The Security Council is made up of five permanent
members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United
States -- who can veto any resolution. In addition, there are
10 non-permanent members.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 23:23