Ilkin: Contribution To All Peace Operations Must Be Taken Into Consideration For Membership In The Security Council

NEW YORK - Turkey's Permanent Representative in the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Baki Ilkin has commented on the reform packet prepared by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to re-design many UN institutions, including the Security Council.
Ambassador Ilkin gave a speech at the UN General Council upon a reform packet, titled ''More Wide Freedom: Development, Security and Human Rights for All,'' was introduced by Kofi Annan.
''The reform proposal encompasses new opportunities. Why could not we have 25 members instead of 24 in the Security Council? Why is there a need to re-design geographic concepts? The Security Council and General Assembly constitute two prominent bodies. There is a serious need to make reforms in the General Assembly. Yet we must have a balance between the two groups.''
According to Ilkin, the criteria to let new members in must not be too narrow. ''We should not place barriers in front of countries that would like to join the Security Council. Contributions to all peace operations and missions must be taken into consideration for membership in the Security Council.''