Egypt FM continues meetings to campaign for UNSC non-permanent seat

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met Saturday with the permanent delegates of Latin American and Caribbean Group ( GRULAC) in the UN to promote for Egypt’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the years 2016 - 2017.

During the meeting, Shoukry praised ties binding Egypt and those countries.

Egypt is keen on promoting economic and political ties with the GRULAC, he added during the meeting.

Egypt has been keen on nominating itself for a non-permanent seat at the UNSC out of its keenness on continuing efforts to preserve international peace and security and push forward the causes of developing countries, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Badr Abdel Aati quoted Shoukry as saying during the meeting.

Shoukry also stressed Egypt's role in crystallizing international mechanisms to achieve disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, added the spokesman.

Shoukry further said that Egypt is committed to resolving regional issues within the framework of respecting international law, topped by the Palestinian cause, the Libyan and Syrian crises along with the situation in Yemen, according to the spokesman.

The spokesman further said that Shoukry tackled Egypt's efforts in eradicating terrorism, which is a global phenomenon.

Egypt seeks the support of the GRULAC in the UNSC elections, due to be held in October to pick non-permanent members, Shoukry said.

The GRULAC members voiced their support for Egypt in its UNSC bid, said the spokesman.

Egypt held a non-permanent seat at the council four times since it was established in 1945. The country’s last membership in the Security Council was in 1997.