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Germany to Join UN Security Council

September 27, 2002

Germany is expected to be among countries up for election as a non-permanent member to the UN Security Council. Diplomats hope this role may help improve transatlantic relations.

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The General Assembly will decide on new Security Council members on FridayImage: AP

On Friday, the UN General Assembly will elect five new non-permanent members to the Security Council. Germany is among those due to join the team for a two-year term. The others include Spain, Pakistan, Chile and Angola.

For Germany, it's the country’s fourth term as an elected member on the council.

Building bridges

But this time round, the current strained US-German ties have thrown a shadow on Germany's membership of the UN Security Council.

UN diplomats now face the tricky task of patching up the frayed relationship in the run-up to the start of the new Security Council term in January 2003.

Germany's Chancellor Gerhard Schröder angered the Bush administration earlier this month, when he said Germany would not be part of any US “adventures” in Iraq – with or without a mandate. In addition, the German Justice Minister sparked indignation in the US after comparing Bush’s methods to those of Adolf Hitler, only one week before the elections.

The resulting stand-off lasted almost a month. But this week the two countries have begun to move slowly in the direction of reconciliation.

This week Schröder travelled to London to meet Tony Blair, the US’ closest European ally, while Peter Struck, the German Defence minister offered that Germany could take command of international security forces in Afghanistan at a NATO meeting in Poland. In addition, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has revealed plans to travel to Washington to thaw the diplomatic ice between the two countries.

Diplomats hope Germany’s membership in the UN Security Council will help improve the dialogue between the US and Germany. In addition, with the permanent UN Security Council still divided over a US-sponsored draft resolution on possible military action on Iraq, UN diplomats also hope that Germany will play a greater role in the Security Council as mediator.

Hopes for permanent seat

In February 2003, Germany will take over the rotating Security Council presidency for four weeks. The new president will then decide on any debates, consultations and resolution votes and will work in close contact with the Council's permanent members, Russia, France, Britain, China – and the US.

Germany’s success in playing the role of president is expected to influence Germany’s long-term aim in the United Nations - a seat in the Security Council as a permanent member.