The Greek candidacy for the election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-26 term has passed a tipping point.
Ninety-seven (97), I repeat, ninety-seven (97) pledges in writing in favor of the Greek candidacy have been secured. That is, more than 50% of the United Nations member states support our election, which will take place in September 2024.
This constitutes a major success of Greek foreign policy. It is a tangible result of the policy pursued by the Mitsotakis government. This policy builds alliances and partnerships with the whole world. And I have to say that it is supported by the majority of the parliamentary parties.
In recent years, the country has developed strategic relations with three permanent members of the Security Council, the United States, France and the United Kingdom.
We also maintain open channels of communication and relations with two other permanent members, Russia and China.
At the same time, we maintain open channels of communication with Africa, Asia, Latin America, beyond Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East.
At the moment, there are only two candidate countries for the two seats allocated for our regional group: Greece and Denmark. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of another candidacy, as well.
And I would like to clarify that the Greek candidacy is by no means empty of content.
The main message of our candidacy is: “80 years of the UN Charter: its fundamental principles are more relevant than ever”.
In 2025 it will be 80 years since the convening of the San Francisco Conference, which marked the birth of the United Nations and led to the subsequent adoption of the Charter.
Nearly eight decades later, the fundamental principles advocated by the United Nations are constantly being challenged.
So, our aim is to promote these principles, which constitute the fundamental values of Greek foreign policy.
Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states; full respect for the principles of International Law, including International Law of the Sea; prohibition of the use of force or even the threat of use of force; peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of International Law and also, where deemed necessary, by recourse to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
After all, the International Court of Justice is one of the key bodies of the United Nations.
Furthermore, the promotion of international cooperation to address and resolve current international challenges, such as climate change, refugee-migrant issue and terrorism.
I would like to announce that we will launch an open campaign for our candidacy in order to achieve, not just the marginal majority, but the largest possible consensus for the Greek presence in the UN Security Council.
Our campaign includes designing a logo, which will be unveiled soon, as well as the appointment of a Special Envoy for our candidacy, whose main aim and task will be the promotion of our message to all UN member states. Similarly, Denmark has already appointed a special Envoy.
On this issue, we will be organizing a special event in New York as part of the Ministerial Week of the General Assembly in September 2022.
I will continue to carry out visits to countries that have not yet committed to supporting our candidacy, but also to countries which exert international influence that can help us reach out to other third countries.
Also, all our Missions abroad will launch an information campaign for our positions.
Our Permanent Representation to the UN – a Mission that has done an excellent job so far- will play a key role in our effort.
As I said, we are on the right track. Every single day we prove that Greece has a say and a role in international affairs; always in the name of specific principles that serve our national interests, but also universal values.