Ethiopia says supporting India’s candidacy for UN Security Council

July 8, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia said backing India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council as New Delhi sought the help of the “home of African Union” in bringing about convergence of views between the G-4 and the 53-nation African Union on the issue of UN reform.

In a boost to India’s campaign for expanding the Security Council, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin backed New Delhi’s bid for a permanent membership because of “its contribution to global peace and security.”, the Indian Financial Express reported.

“What India is asking is not a favour but India deserves to become a permanent member of the UNSC….India is in a legitimate position to demand for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and Ethiopia strongly supports the demand of India,” Mesfin said last Thursday.

“We look upon Ethiopia to continue to help us in finding ways and means of marrying the positions of G-4 (comprising India, Japan, Brasil and Germany) and Africa Union so as to bring about reforms, in particular of the UNSC, at an early date,” visiting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said during talks with his Ethiopian counterpart.

Mukherjee, who is on a four-day visit to Ethiopia, also voiced full support to Africa’s “legitimate demand and aspiration” to have a seat in the permanent category membership of the UNSC.

Though Ethiopia backs India’s demand for a permanent UNSC seat, New Delhi has to garner the crucial support of the other members of the African Union to see its bid through.

(Financial Express)