| Security Council Membership: Ambassador Frank Majoor addresses the General Assembly |  |
Statement by
H.E. Mr. Frank Majoor
Permanent Representative
of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
Informal General Assembly Plenary on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council
19 February 2009
H.E. Mr. Frank Majoor
Permanent Representative
of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
Informal General Assembly Plenary on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council
19 February 2009
Mr. Chairman,
I looked forward to today’s meeting with great anticipation and I am honoured to be part of what I hope will be a turning point in our approach towards Security Council reform. It is almost half a year ago we decided to commence intergovernmental negotiations in an informal plenary, no later than 28 February 2009. And here we are!
Today’s start of the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform presents us with a chance to show the world that we, the membership, are able to work together in a constructive spirit and break out of a seemingly deadlocked situation after more than one and a half decade of debate. That we can work and negotiate in good faith, with mutual respect and in an open, inclusive and transparent manner and I would add – the necessary commitment and political will to yield results.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation is thankful for your leadership and that of the President of the General Assembly, and we are grateful to you for presenting us with a work plan and time schedule for the negotiations. My delegation welcomes the start of negotiations on the five key issues and looks forward to constructive solutions that have wide political support. We plan to contribute actively in the coming months.
Keeping in line with decision 62/557 paragraph (e) (iii), the Netherlands believes that a possible solution to the diverging proposals put forward by member states could be found by working toward an Intermediary Approach, as proposed by the 5 facilitators in the report of the Open-Ended Working Group during the 61st session in annexes 2 and 4 (A/61/47). If and when that course is taken we will have to look – as also envisaged in some of the other proposals on the table – to the modalities of a review clause.
Mr Chairman,
My delegation remains committed to a reform of the Security Council, leading both to an increased legitimacy and informed effectiveness.
Improving the Council’s working methods remains an important part of this exercise; transparency and access are the key words here. My delegation firmly supports the S5 proposals and I may also refer to my contribution to the recent discussion in the Security Council on this subject focussing on the right to be heard and possible modalities thereof (27 August 2008). I will redistribute this contribution when we come to it in our negotiations.
Mr Chairman,
I see today as a new beginning, a culmination of our painstaking efforts over the past 16 years. Today we have a chance to move forward with renewed vigour and determination, and to show that we can work together in creating a Security Council that is truly reflective of today’s world. All eyes are on us, critical and full of expectation. As I have said before, what we need now is some courage, courage to really start with negotiations. Your work plan is an excellent basis for that.
Mr Chairman,
I wish you, Ambassador Tanin, the President of the General Assembly, and ourselves every success.
I looked forward to today’s meeting with great anticipation and I am honoured to be part of what I hope will be a turning point in our approach towards Security Council reform. It is almost half a year ago we decided to commence intergovernmental negotiations in an informal plenary, no later than 28 February 2009. And here we are!
Today’s start of the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform presents us with a chance to show the world that we, the membership, are able to work together in a constructive spirit and break out of a seemingly deadlocked situation after more than one and a half decade of debate. That we can work and negotiate in good faith, with mutual respect and in an open, inclusive and transparent manner and I would add – the necessary commitment and political will to yield results.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation is thankful for your leadership and that of the President of the General Assembly, and we are grateful to you for presenting us with a work plan and time schedule for the negotiations. My delegation welcomes the start of negotiations on the five key issues and looks forward to constructive solutions that have wide political support. We plan to contribute actively in the coming months.
Keeping in line with decision 62/557 paragraph (e) (iii), the Netherlands believes that a possible solution to the diverging proposals put forward by member states could be found by working toward an Intermediary Approach, as proposed by the 5 facilitators in the report of the Open-Ended Working Group during the 61st session in annexes 2 and 4 (A/61/47). If and when that course is taken we will have to look – as also envisaged in some of the other proposals on the table – to the modalities of a review clause.
Mr Chairman,
My delegation remains committed to a reform of the Security Council, leading both to an increased legitimacy and informed effectiveness.
Improving the Council’s working methods remains an important part of this exercise; transparency and access are the key words here. My delegation firmly supports the S5 proposals and I may also refer to my contribution to the recent discussion in the Security Council on this subject focussing on the right to be heard and possible modalities thereof (27 August 2008). I will redistribute this contribution when we come to it in our negotiations.
Mr Chairman,
I see today as a new beginning, a culmination of our painstaking efforts over the past 16 years. Today we have a chance to move forward with renewed vigour and determination, and to show that we can work together in creating a Security Council that is truly reflective of today’s world. All eyes are on us, critical and full of expectation. As I have said before, what we need now is some courage, courage to really start with negotiations. Your work plan is an excellent basis for that.
Mr Chairman,
I wish you, Ambassador Tanin, the President of the General Assembly, and ourselves every success.
