Poland has been chosen as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2018-2019 in a vote on Friday.

The vote took place in New York on Friday. Photo: MSZ

Poland received 190 votes to join the Council during the ballot in New York.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said the event "marks a great victory for Polish diplomacy, and a major foreign policy success.”

“It’s proof that a foreign policy aimed at empowerment is bearing fruit. We are starting to act globally, we are not afraid of serious challenges,” he added.

Participation in the UN Security Council election was the high point of the foreign minister’s visit to New York.

In 2018-2019 Poland will be a non-permanent member of the @UN Security Council. #PL4UNSC pic.twitter.com/7jbAAVnimI — Polish PM Office (@PremierRP_en) June 2, 2017

Poland has been engaged in a flurry of efforts in recent months to secure support for its bid for a seat at the table in 2018 and 2019.

The UN Security Council consists of five veto-wielding permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK and US), and 10 non-permanent members elected by the organisation’s General Assembly for a term of two years.

One non-permanent place goes to a country from Eastern Europe.

From the latter group, Bulgaria put itself forward as a candidate as well as Poland, but withdrew in December 2016.

This is the sixth time Poland has been elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

“Such a good result is a testament to the recognition of Poland’s contribution to maintaining international peace and security, and to the trust which the international community places in our country,” the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement.

(rg)