Strengthening international law is Poland’s priority as the country starts its two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski has said.

Joanna Wronecka places the Polish flag during a flag ceremony marking the start of a new two-year term for non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Photo: EPA/JUSTIN LANE.

He added that a spot on the council was Poland’s ticket to participation in world politics.

“I am glad that Poland is returning to the UN Security Council after 20 years. Our priorities will be boosting international law and prevention, and our trademark will be combining matters of security with development,” Waszczykowski said.

Warsaw’s ambassador to the UN Joanna Wronecka said Poland’s election to the council was the international community’s expression of trust and respect for Poland and its hitherto engagement in maintaining international peace and security.

On 1 January, Poland returned the council for the first time in 20 years. Poland has previously had a seat on the UN Security Council in 1946-47, 1960, 1970-71, 1982-83 and 1996-97.

Poland will sit on the council with its five permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK and USA, as well as Bolivia, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru, and Sweden. Poland is set to head the council in May and again in the second half of 2019. (vb)

Source: IAR