African Group and The G4 are calling for broad cooperation regarding SC reform

Yesterday, on 7th May 2013 delegates of two different groups met at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Geopolitical regional group of African states was represented by the delegates of Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Ethiopia. G4 group consisting of Germany, India, Brazil and Japan that was established with the sole purpose of achieving more permanent seats in the Security Council was represented by the delegates of Germany and India.

The main goal of the meeting was to compare the expectations and ambitions of both interest groups, as well as to discuss the possible common position regarding the Security Council reform. It looks like that delegates from both groups found many similar standpoints from where they will be able to cooperate. Moreover, in there common statement they expressed the clear intention to establish 'a common position that will be reflected in a working paper.'

In fact, they stated they are really satisfied 'with the quick development and achievement of strong common position.' At same time they are calling for 'broadest cooperation possible' regarding this topic and expect that other states will share their ideas and suggestions. They are open to discuss and cooperate to everyone who share the ideas of legitimacy, transparency and inclusiveness regarding Security Council reform.

However, in the common statement African Group and The G4 countries were also very clear about not tolerating any 'destructive suggestions or actions'. It looks like that both groups are willing to talk and cooperate with everyone that does not oppose to enlarging the number of permanent seats. According to events in the history we can assume that their common position will include the preposition of five new permanent Security Council members consisting of Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and African representative.

Luka Kavčič

Bellow you can read the whole common statement made by African Group and The G4:

The representatives of the African Group (Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia) and the G-4 coalition (India, Germany) met today at 11 am at the Faculty of Social Sciences to establish a common position, that will be reflected in a working paper on the reform of the Security Council.

We are happy with the quick development and achievement of strong common position. We are open to suggestions of other states and call them to share their ideas and positions so that we can reach the broadest cooperation possible. However, we would like to emphasise that we will not tolerate destructive suggestions and actions that go against our common position and endanger the whole idea of inclusiveness, legitimacy and transparency of the reform of the Security Council.