Reynders takes key step in Belgium’s UN Security Council bid

Reynders takes key step in Belgium’s UN Security Council bid

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders and U.N. General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia had a working meeting on Tuesday morning on issues such as sustainable development goals and migration, but also on Belgium’s bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council in 2019-2020. The two men had already had a bilateral discussion in September 2017, when they discussed the reform plans of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and paid special attention to sexual abuse and terrorism. They had also looked at sustainable development goals, migration and women’s rights.

Tuesday’s meeting was of particular importance for Belgium’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.

At the end of their meeting, they described their discussions as “very positive”. According to the Foreign Minister, Belgium has shown that it is prepared to collaborate with the important reforms of the United Nations. He said Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde would add their contribution by going to New York on the 24 and 25 April for a high-level meeting on peacekeeping missions and the stabilization of conflict zones.

Belgium, spearheaded by its Foreign Minister, has been conducting a campaign for close to two years now to obtain one of the ten non-permanent seats on the Security Council for 2019-2020, of which Germany and Israel are also candidates. The decision will be made in June. To join the Council, Belgium must obtain the support of two-thirds of its members. 


The Brussels Times


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