ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan left on Sunday for New York, USA for the voting to be held on October 17 for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, for which Turkey is a candidate as well.
Prior to his departure, Babacan held a press conference at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul and said, "Turkey has not been represented at the UN Security Council for 47 years."
"Turkey made great contributions to world peace, security and stability. The country is contributing to peace currently with its military forces in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Turkey also made important initiatives for peace and stability in Caucasus, Balkans, Middle East, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Turkey deserves to be the member of the Council," he said.
Babacan said there is need for votes of at least 128 countries to have a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
Turkish delegation would hold talks with several countries' permanent representatives to the United Nations for four days of next week, he stated.
Turkey, competing in the Western European and Others Group, has to win 128 votes (or votes of two-thirds of countries joining the voting) to secure a seat at the UN Security Council. Austria and Iceland are the other candidates in this group. Only two countries can become a non-permanent member of the council for the term 2009-2010.
The United Nations Security Council is the branch of the UN charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization for military action.
The council has five permanent members, including France, China, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States. Ten other members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Turkey was a member of the Council in 1951-1952, 1954-1955 and 1961.
(EÖ)
(DIP)