Egypt’s candidacy for the Northern African non-permanent UN Security Council seat for the years 2016-2017 is on its way to become a reality; Ameera Fouad reports
Within the framework of Egypt’s Foreign Ministry tremendous efforts to gain the non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council 2016-2017, a convoy of representatives to the UN of more than 50 countries visited Al-Alamein and Alexandria, as a means of participating in an international forum that has been held in Egypt from August 27 to September 2.
Such a visit comes as a step to promote Egypt’s status for its candidacy for the Northern African seat for the non permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2016-2017.
Earlier this year, it has been announced officially by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Egypt will run for the candidate for the seat, as a representative of the African Union. Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has visited many African countries to acquire their votes, and this convoy of UN representatives came as a major step to increase effort seeking this international place.
In their visit to Al-Alamein, the representatives showed their genuine support to the role Egypt plays in maintaining peace and security for decades. The representatives also showed their support for Egypt’s candidacy to strengthen the international action through the United Nations in order to achieve collective security and uphold the goals enshrined in the purposes and principles of the UN charter.
Dr Ismail Serageddin was one of the key spokespersons who welcomed the convoy heartily. In his opening statement in Al-Alamein, Dr Ismail Serageddin talked about the controversial sides of the Mediterranean shore in which the specter of war in Europe has been awakened, while on the other side of the Mediterranean the specter of barbarism has been resurrected.
“There, the world of the middle ages is upon us as the so-called Islamic State wages all-out war and seeks to claim the legacy of the Ottoman empire, if not beyond. The Fanatics are everywhere from Boko Haram in Nigeria to Al-Qaeda in the Sahara and the Maghreb to the mountains of Afghanistan.”
He also added that “The Egyptian people, in a magnificent example of people power, came out in their tens of millions and rejected the Islamist project, while Egypt, resurrected, battles fanatics in the Sinai and terrorism at home. And all around Egypt war rages: in Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and in the vast Sahara.”
In their visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) the following day, the convoy was impressed by the speech conducted by Dr Serageddin which tackled the library’s long history as well its rebirth revitalisation in 2002.
In such a short visit, Iceland UN representative told the Middle East Observer, “Egypt’s potential to gain a non-permanent seat in the UN is highly expectant, not only on the international UN level, but on all levels; its economic boost and political status have contributed in such expectations.”
“Also, the country’s announcement of the parliamentary elections taking place by the end of this year will empower its political status worldwide. Egypt has the full potential to play this role and I am sure it will dedicate its full potentials to help and support the international community in big causes especially which tackle its identity; being an African country as well as an Arab one”.
He also added that it has been well globally renowned that EEDC (Egypt’s Economic Development Conference) as well the inauguration of the New Suez Canal along with all accomplishments taking place on solid ground, helped a great deal in refining Egypt’s status and regaining its political and economic role in the whole region.
