Intervention by H.E. Ambassador Katalin Bogyay Permanent Representative on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council on 3 April 2017
Excellencies, Dear Co-Chairs,
Dear Colleagues,
Hungary reiterates its support for all efforts aiming at finding practical solutions achieve progress at the IGN process. With each meeting let us see how we can narrow down differences and identify areas of consensus on the issues at stake. In this regard we welcome the document circulated by the Co-Chairs yesterday, however we still insist on the importance of starting text-based negotiations.
We also welcome the proposal of the distinguished Co-Facilitators that aims to continue in depth discussions on the linkages between the two issues that are especially important from the perspective of my country as well as the Eastern European Regional Group, namely the categories of membership and the question of regional representation.
Even though these two clusters were not mentioned in the elements paper prepared during the last session by the PR of Luxembourg, in our view convergences can be found in these two very issues, some of which are underlined among the issues for further consideration circulated by the Co-chairs.
All interventions we heard so far throughout the process agree on the fact that enlargement is timely and warranted in a way, that reflects the political, and socio- economic changes of the last 70 years.
The same general agreement is there concerning regional representation: to our knowledge a fairer and more equitable representation is in the interest of all member states, as failure to achieve that would deal a (further) blow to the credibility of the Security Council
Concerning the first issue Hungary continues to support enlargement in both categories. However, should it find consensus, Hungary does not exclude an interim solution, which could also be temporary in nature, until discussions on further enlargement in permanent membership come to a satisfactory conclusion. It is important to remember that decisions on the enlargement in the permanent or
other new proposed categories shall not jeopardize enlargement in the non- permanent category, which is uniformly supported by the international community.
Enlargement will necessarily mandate a complete overhaul of the Security Council’s working methods. We believe there is more convergence than divergence of ideas in this field. Hungary supports all proposals that ensure that the new Council is fit for purpose, discharging its functions in a more effective, efficient, accountable, coherent and transparent manner.
On regional representation Hungary supports a simple and understandable enlargement model that must be based on Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the UN Charter, that is, “equitable regional distribution” of seats. Our guiding principle should remain that enlargement must continue to be based on the regional groups and must observe their equitable representation. This does not mean however that other supplementary models cannot be entertained, such as seats for sub-regional and cross-regional groups, notably the Arab Group, small and medium sized countries, for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We agree with the urgent need to address the issue of the under-representation of the developing countries, especially Africa and SIDS. We note that all proposals received so far contain acceptable elements and, therefore, can be utilized as basis for further discussions.
The final solution does not necessarily have to be one of the proposals, but rather, a combination of their elements.
To conclude, Hungary reiterates its call for a second non-permanent seat for the Eastern European Group. The membership of the EEG has grown from 10 counties in 1965 to the current 23 Member States.
I thank you for your attention.
