Egypt stance on UNSC enlargement

Regarding the projected enlargement of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit stressed some weeks ago before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Egypt possesses due regional power elements and enjoys political and social stability in addition to strong international relations with all world countries.

The top Egyptian diplomate stressed that in the UNSC enlargement process, it is impossible to ignore the Arab and Islamic dimensions.

Since enlargement the membership of the UNSC came to be discussed openly in the early 1990s, Egypt has adopted a judicions approach to the matter.

It did not rush heedlessly for unearned booty. Yet, meantime, it did not stop following up closely the case, having in mind the high interests of Egypt.

For this end "We kept all channels open with conflicting sides," said the Egyptian top diplomat adding that "we could successfully drive matters towards African Summit's accrediting the significant declaration in Harari in 1997 that Africa is entitled to hold two permanent seats in the UNSC."

In this context, Egypt's statement before the UNGA stressed that it did actively contribute in keeping peace at the Arab, regional and international levels. Over and above Egypt assisted in driving forward the UN development efforts as well as achieving targets and objectives of the world organization.

Not to mention that the Egyptian statement referred to the fact that we represent more than one billion Moslems and 300 million Arabs.

In short, with all those aspects in view, Egypt is well qualified and actually ready to bear the due responsibilities of the permanent membership in the UNSC.