By Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti
Mr. Chairman,
Thank you for convening this meeting to consider the question of the veto in the Security Council. This is an important issue that deserves our most serious consideration.
As in other sections of the negotiating text, our efforts to streamline the paper may be more successful if we manage to reorganize the paragraphs according to the common topics they seek to address.
In doing so, Mr. Chairman, it might be useful to consider first those proposals that examine the veto rights of existing permanent members, regulated by article 27 of the UN Charter since 1945.
Then, in a different set of paragraphs, the question of the veto for newly elected permanent members would be properly dealt with.
On the first topic, Mr. Chairman, a significant number of proposals raised the issue of eliminating the veto outright or, if this is deemed not possible, limiting or curtailing its use by current permanent members. There are of course variations of language. Their common elements, however, can be clearly identified and merged to avoid unnecessary overlapping.
On the second topic, some proposals expressed opposition in principle to the possibility of extending the veto to new permanent members. They can also be merged.
Other proposals ask for the extension of the veto to new permanent members, so long as it exists, as a matter of common justice.
Here, again, the wording actually employed may not be exactly the same, but the general purpose of these proposals are indeed quite similar. It is a fair recognition that, as a matter of principle, all permanent members should have the same responsibilities and obligations, thus reflecting a balanced and equitable representation on the Security Council.
Allow me to say, Mr. Chairman, that my delegation has always approached this sensitive issue with a constructive view. Concerning the way forward, Member States need to assess the convenience of making final decisions now or consider making them in the framework of a future review of the situation created by the reform.
We will continue to make our contribution to the negotiating process, Mr. Chairman, bearing in mind the need - so many times reiterated in this informal plenary session - that we all must strive to reach a concrete and meaningful outcome, sooner rather than later.
Thank you.
