Debate over EU Security Council seat ‘premature’

Date: 02/11/1995

By Elizabeth Wise

IT makes two European Union nations very angry and most of the others nervous. So nervous, in fact, that most say they have no opinion on it at all. “Who has proposed that?” political counsellors and spokesmen ask, adding quickly: “We have no position on that.”

'That' is the notion of a seat for the EU on the United Nations' Security Council.

During its fiftieth anniversary celebrations in New York last week, most of the UN's 185 members called for reforms of the massive institution, and particularly its elite but powerful decision-making body. The Security Council is too Euro-centric, many argued, and besides, the UK and France are no longer the world powers they were in 1945. It is time to consolidate and make way for new members.

In New York, UN officials say the notion of giving a single seat to the European Union, instead of keeping individual seats, has been discussed but is no longer on the table. “The idea of an EU seat has faded into the background,” said one.

EU states are divided over the idea, with seat holders naturally defending the status quo. “A common seat would be the ultimate logical consequence of a real common foreign and security policy,” said a Belgian foreign ministry spokesman. “But as we have all seen, it's premature to talk about it.”

Next year's Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) may still be too early for a change to be contemplated. Members of the Reflection Group charged with preparing the IGC, have not even broached the subject.

The authors of the Maastricht Treaty must have anticipated that, as the treaty states only that EU member states “which are also members of the United Nations Security Council will concert and keep the other member states fully informed”.

France and the UK seem happy to comply with that request, as giving up their seats is out of the question. Germany wants its own seat. Diplomats from many other EU states say privately they would like to share an EU seat at the table in New York, but officially will say nothing.

Not all member states are pushing for an EU seat, however, as that might take the last semblance of individuality away from member nations.

“It would be a very strong step towards the United States of Europe,” said an official in Sweden's foreign ministry. “Deep down, we don't want that and it is not likely we would push something with such a strong federalist character.”

Italy is pushing for a new scheme to add ten semi-permanent members. Up to 30 countries would hold that title and rotate into the Security Council for a two-year term every six years. The five permanent members, and the procedure whereby ten nations rotate in every year, would remain unchanged.

The UN official said it is an unlikely scenario, but “it is being considered as a serious proposal”.

An aide to Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek said the Commissioner had not advocated the idea. “In an ideal world, he would support an EU seat, but it's not realistic so he's not pushing it.”

But “something needs to be done”, said the Van den Broek aide. “The need for better representation is obvious. We would support a seat for Germany, but not Germany alone.” There would also have to be seats for Africa, Asia or Latin America, he said.

British officials insist the UK will not relinquish its seat. As a senior diplomat put it: “We're not giving up our seat. There's no question of an EU seat.” As a member, Britain has responsibilities to the UN that the EU does not share, he said, making the same argument for France. “France and Britain are not there by accident,” the diplomat said. In addition to their nuclear capability, “the two have forces they are willing to send around the world”.

Germany's willingness to send troops to the former Yugoslavia boosts its candidacy for a seat, the British diplomat acknowleged, but he stopped short of making the same argument for the Netherlands or other EU states that have sent troops to Bosnia, saying only: “Germany and Japan have very strong credentials.”

Germany is lobbying hard for a seat of its own and Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel used the UN's birthday gathering to tell 185 heads of state as much. In his speech to the General Assembly, he said: “Germany is of the opinion that the Security Council should be increased to more permanent and non-permanent members.” Then he added: “Germany, supported by many member nations, has said it wants to become a full-time member. Its willingness to take over more responsibility in this framework is for us the logical development of our commitment to the UN.”

France supports Germany's application, but President Jacques Chirac left that point out of his speech to the assembly.

Aides say: “It's for Germany to formulate its request.”

As for France's own seat, they add: “There is no possibility of calling into question the permanent members.”