Finland lobbies to get two-year stint on UN Security Council
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Finland’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council is in full swing, with intense lobbying aimed at persuading enough member states to endorse Finland’s bid for a two-year term on the Security Council.
On Wednesday last week, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb met with Rufus Bousquet, the Foreign Minister of Saint Lucia at the Finnish representation at the UN to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The issue has not been much of a problem for people in either country, but now the establishment of official relations is in the mutual interest of both. St. Lucia needs Finland’s support to get an important post in UNESCO, and Finland needs support for its bid for the Security Council for 2013-2014.
In addition to five permanent members, who have the power of veto over all decisions, the Security Council has ten alternating members, who are chosen from within the different geographical regions for two years at a time.
Finland is currently in a slow process of elimination, competing against Australia and Luxembourg for the post. Getting the nomination requires a two thirds majority of all votes cast.
St. Lucia is a small island country in the East Caribbean, but in the UN General Assembly, it has as much weight as China, for instance.
The UN now has 192 member states, which means that securing one vote does not go very far on its own. To mark the meeting, the diplomats from St. Lucia received a vase designed by Alvar Aalto, and the Finns got two colourful tablecloths. After the meeting, both countries proceeded with their respective lobbying efforts.
President Tarja Halonen and Foreign Minister Stubb collected ten positive and ten negative answers during the General Assembly. They expect to continue their efforts next year.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 28.9.2009 - TODAY |
 Finland lobbies to get two-year stint on UN Security Council
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