NUCLEAR POWER IN BELARUS AND WORLDWIDE
MINSK, 16 May (BelTA) – Slovenia's nomination as a candidate for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 period in addition to Belarus' nomination is a politicized decision. Belarus' permanent representative to the United Nations Organization Valentin Rybakov made the statement during Belarus vs Slovenia debates for the UN Security Council non-permanent membership in New York, BelTA has learned.
Valentin Rybakov pointed out injustice in this nomination. “We are convinced that Belarus should have participated in these debates yesterday together with countries, which are single candidates in their country groups,” the diplomat noted. Valentin Rybakov reminded how Belarus became a candidate for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. It happened 16 years ago, in 2007 when Belarus submitted its bid for the position. Belarus had been the single candidate from the Eastern European group of countries till December 2021. “As you can see, time and efforts were needed to find a competitor for Belarus among members of the Eastern European group. We know it for sure because some ambassadors have told us their countries had been invited to participate in competition against Belarus during these elections,” the diplomat added.
During the debates Valentin Rybakov asked Slovenia's representative to explain what made his country to drastically change initial plans and bid for UN Security Council non-permanent membership in 2021. “What or who forced Slovenia to engage in artificial competition against Belarus during elections for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council?” Belarus' representative wondered. “It is a clear manifestation of double standards, although I don't like this phrase since it assumes that there are two points of view but in this case it is a politicized decision. It is essentially an attempt to punish Belarus for an independent foreign policy and approaches in international arena.”
The fact that a couple of days after Slovenia decided to recall its bid for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2042-2043 period, Northern Macedonia quickly filled the vacant position indicates that this action had been planned and orchestrated, Valentin Rybakov stressed.
He also presented information about the priorities Belarus intends to push for if it is elected to the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Those are actions in support of the UN Charter, promotion of a dialogue, enhancement of international cooperation in fight against terrorism, support for the UN Security Council's reform on the basis of principles of transparency, inclusivity, multivercity, and fair geographical representation. Belarus' priorities also include matters concerning climate change and efforts to ensure a sensible approach to the resolution of the relevant challenges.
During the debates representatives of various countries asked a number of questions addressed to Belarus and Slovenia. Among other things they touched upon the operation of the UN Security Council and opportunities for improving the effectiveness and for reforming this body. The diplomats also answered questions about the conflict in Ukraine and the involvement of various parties in it, about the possibility of preventing global climate changes, and about the need to respond to other global challenges and threats.
BelTA reported earlier that in 2007 Belarus placed its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term. The election will be held in June 2023. For 15 years Belarus had been the only candidate from the Eastern European group. On 9 December 2021 Slovenia filed a bid for the same position, although in 2017 it had already submitted its bid for the 2042-2043 term in the group.
