TODAY.AZ / Politics

Azerbaijan's chances of non-permanent UNSC membership: top official speaks up

24 October 2011 [09:08] - TODAY.AZ
Baku believes Azerbaijan has great chances to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), Novruz Mammadov, Head of the Foreign Relations Department at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, said.

"Certain procedures will run until Oct. 24. A number of countries stand for Azerbaijan in the elections for a non-permanent membership of the UNSC. Talks with them will be continued," Mammadov said in an exclusive interview with Trend on Saturday. "I have been informed that Turkey, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Iran support Azerbaijan. This process will be continued today and tomorrow. Today, Azerbaijan has chances and enjoys great confidence."

Several rounds of the voting, within the elections for a non-permanent membership of the UNSC in 2012-2013 held at the UN headquarters in New-York, from Eastern European countries ended without result. Azerbaijan and Slovenia were struggling to gain this membership from this group.

None of the countries could overcome the barrier in two-thirds vote which is necessary by the UN Charter. Azerbaijan did not get just 14 votes to win elections.
So it was decided to postpone the voting to Monday, Oct. 24.

Of course, Mammadov said the rival will also carry out certain activities in its camp.
"I only wish that no pressure would be made on any party and states would conduct only propaganda. The situation is enough tense now. Azerbaijan needs only 14 votes and following this a historical event may occur - Azerbaijan may become a non-permanent UNSC member. But, Slovenia requires 51 votes to win the elections. If any certain changes are recorded here, then it will mean that these countries were strongly pressured and they changed their positions. We will have to regret if such a situation occurs," he stated.

In general, Mammadov said, some become worried over the fact that Azerbaijan encountered with an EU candidate. Theretofore, the elections were stopped in a hurry and postponed to Oct. 24.

"Today, this issue is in the focus of the whole world. As, five countries from the different parts of the world were to be elected as the non-permanent UNSC members. Azerbaijan was among the candidates, particularly European candidates. That, is one of three European countries - Hungary, Slovenia and Azerbaijan, was to be elected.

I would like to note that Azerbaijan is now in tense and difficult situation just for this [for being nominated from European group]. As you know, the strong organization such as the European Union always stands for its candidates. However, yesterday's elections run under enough tense circumstances compared to the previous ones. Such situations can be rarely seen in the history of the elections at the UN headquarters. Earlier, the analytical forecast showed that Azerbaijan's chances are so few. Some even estimated the country's chances at 20-25 percent. Although the elections were enough tense, Hungary left out the elections, as it received few votes. Azerbaijan and Slovenia continued struggling. The elections run in nine rounds and if during the early rounds the countries' voices were nearly equal, then Azerbaijan's position began to strengthen in the end and the country gained 113 votes in the ninth round. Slovenia received only 77 votes," Mammadov said.

In general, Mammadov said the elections at the UN always run until 9 pm-10 pm. "A Qatari representative chaired the elections. However, some decided that the elections can be stopped a little earlier. I understand reasons for this at certain extent. Many become worried over Azerbaijan's gaining unexpectedly received so many votes under such circumstances," he stated.


/Trend/
URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/96930.html

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