Spindelegger congratulates the five new members of the UN Security Council

Vienna, 15 October 2009 - "Today, the General Assembly has elected five new members to the Security Council with a clear majority. I wish to warmly congratulate Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon, and Nigeria for this proof of trust from the international community. Austria is looking forward to the future cooperation with them in the highest UN body", said Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger in a first reaction to the announcement of the election results in the General Assembly.

The Minister used the election as an opportunity to also thank those members whose term in the Security Council will be expiring at the end of this year: "Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Croatia, Libya, and Vietnam have proven to be very constructive partners in the Security Council. Austria was always able to rely on the support of these countries in connection with its priority concerns - compliance with international humanitarian law and protection of the civilian population. Especially the close cooperation between non-permanent members allows us to successfully sensitize the Security Council for topics and concerns."

Austria was elected to the Security Council on 17 October 2008 and will be a member of this body for 2009 and 2010. In November 2009, Austria will hold the Presidency of the Security Council.

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