18 July 2005 -- Foreign ministers from Germany, Brazil, India, and Japan have failed to reach agreement with the African Union on rival bids for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council.
But the delegates pledged to continue negotiations in Geneva next week.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters after talks yesterday in New York that there would be no compromise on giving veto rights to new council members.
The so-called G4 countries are pushing for the Security Council to expand from 15 to 25 seats without giving new members veto powers.
However, the African Union's draft resolution requests veto privileges for two of the new members.
The G4 states have little hope of getting the necessary two-thirds approval from the General Assembly without the support of African countries.
(AFP)
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters after talks yesterday in New York that there would be no compromise on giving veto rights to new council members.
The so-called G4 countries are pushing for the Security Council to expand from 15 to 25 seats without giving new members veto powers.
However, the African Union's draft resolution requests veto privileges for two of the new members.
The G4 states have little hope of getting the necessary two-thirds approval from the General Assembly without the support of African countries.
(AFP)