France reiterates support for India, along with Germany, Japan, Brazil, and equitable representation of Africans, for its permanent seat in the expansion of the UNSC.
India, besides Germany, Brazil, and Japan is deemed as “absolutely needed” for permanent members of the UN Security Council. The support has come from France, stating that the enlargement of the council group is crucial for its reform.
“In terms of policy, France and Germany have strong policy,” said France’s Permanent Representative to the UN Francois Delattre. The statement further read that France wants enlargement of the UNSC in non-permanent and permanent categories. The permanent categories would include India, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and equitable representation of Africans, said the French envoy.
Delattre said that the UN cannot be recognised as a centre of gravity for multilateralism throughout the world. He has stressed upon the key to UN reform that should focus on openness through three different areas. These include the openness of the UNSC that entails expansion of the 15-nation, partnership and openness to civil society. “This is a strategic aim that France has and I do believe it is Germany’s strategic aim as well”.
The German Ambassador said that the UNSC does not reflect the realities of this world in its present composition. “France and Germany spoke with one voice in this,” said German envoy to the UN Christoph Heusgen. He added that the council would lose legitimacy if it is not reformed. “Therefore I think we should really work hard,” he said.
“More than 90% of the written submissions in the document are in favour of expansion in both categories of membership specified in the Charter,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin was quoted earlier. India has for long called for the reform of the UNSC along with Germany, Brazil, and Japan. It has emphasized that the nation rightly deserves a place at the UN high-table as a permanent member.
