WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's chairmanship over the UN body - the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - marked a turning point in the country's position in foreign affairs, and Croatia has become a partner in efforts aimed at
solving global economic and social problems, said Croatian Ambassador to the United Nations, Ivan Simonovic, on the occasion of the end of the Croatian one-year presidency of the ECOSOC.
WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Hina) - Croatia's chairmanship over the UN body
- the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) - marked a turning point
in the country's position in foreign affairs, and Croatia has
become a partner in efforts aimed at solving global economic and
social problems, said Croatian Ambassador to the United Nations,
Ivan Simonovic, on the occasion of the end of the Croatian one-year
presidency of the ECOSOC. #L#
The ECOSOC, one of the most important UN bodies, focuses on the
promotion of the economic and social progress, cultural and
scientific cooperation and human rights and freedoms.
After completing successfully its task when presiding over the
ECOSOC in 2002, Croatia officially applied for non-permanent
membership into the UN Security Council in 2007.
"Croatia has gained its international reputation and respect. Only
when a country begins deciding on others, it becomes a subject and
not only an object in foreign affairs," diplomat Simonovic said in
an interview with Hina.
Last year Simonovic chaired ECOSOC sessions, and after being the
Croatian ambassador to the UN in New York for six years, he is
returning to Zagreb and as of 9 February he should be Croatian
Deputy Foreign Minister.
The eastern European regional group in the UN has already formally
proposed Croatia as a candidate for two-year member of the UN
Security Council as of 2007.
"The successful completion of the (UN) missions in Croatia and its
contribution to the global peace and security in missions in other
countries qualify us for the membership in the Security Council,"
Simonovic said.
In December 2002, the United Nations, successfully wrapped up its
last peace operation in Croatia, and it was on the southernmost
peninsula of Prevlaka. Six years ago, UN units were deployed in
Croatia to in peacekeeping missions, and now Croatians are taking
part in UN missions in Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Kashmir, Western
Sahara, and this year Croatian military police officers are to join
UN observing mission in Afghanistan.
Two other candidates from the eastern European group within the UN
for the membership in the UN Security Council are the Czech Republic
and Georgia.
Croatia enjoys better prospects than Georgia of becoming a non-
permanent SC member, given that the latter does not still have a
settled security situation. As regards the Czech republic, it has
already been in that UN body, and this fact can facilitate Croatia's
bids.
"The membership in the Security Council must be a national
priority...All factors must promote this goal," the ambassador
said.
He believes that continuing taking an active part in foreign
affairs, like through the membership in the Security Council,
Croatia can easier accomplish its major objectives - the admission
into the European Union and NATO.
In 2002 while Simonovic chaired the ECOSOC, a practice was
introduced with joint sessions of representatives of the UN main
bodies - Security Council, General Assembly and ECOSOC.
Croatia had obtained political advantages when it took over the
presidency over the ECOSOC body - the women's commission.
(hina) ms