Italy, Netherlands propose split UN Security Council seat for 2017-18
Italy and The Netherlands proposed on June 28 splitting a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council after the UN General Assembly was deadlocked on which to choose following five rounds of voting for the final 2017/18 seat.
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The 193-member General Assembly elected Sweden, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia and Bolivia on June 28 to replace Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela on the council from Jan. 1, 2017. The Netherlands and Italy were tied with 95 votes each.
Countries need more than two-thirds of the vote to win a seat. Italy and The Netherlands are competing for a seat belonging to the "Western European and Others" regional group, which is due to meet on Wednesday to approve splitting the term.
The General Assembly would then need to vote in favor of the action.
Just days after Britain voted to leave the European Union, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Italy and The Netherlands believed their Security Council deal could "send a message of unity between two European countries."
"It will be an honor for Italy to serve in the Security Council in 2017 and to cooperate with The Netherlands serving in 2018," Gentiloni told the General Assembly.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said it was important to show unity during a complex time for Europe.
