Turkey keen to have seat at UN Security Counc

Gul said Turkey — as one of the founder members of the U.N. — had always supported the goals and principles of the U.N. Charter in a message he issued on the 59th anniversary of the foundation of the U.N. Turkey had supported and contributed to U.N. efforts in both he tsocio-economic and peace-keeping fields, he said.

Gul elaborated that Turkey also actively contributed to the U.N.’s efforts to maintain international peace and stability and supported efforts to assure peace in Cyprus, the Middle East and Iraq. Ankara backed the reform process launched by U.N. Secretary-General Kof Annan to catch up with the political, economic, cultural and social changes in the world.

Referring to Turkey’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the Security Council for the term 2009 to 2010, Gul said, "We believe that our country, which has not had the opportunity to be represented in the Security Council for more than 40 years, will make more of a contribution to the enhancement of international peace and security by becoming a member of this council."

Turkey has not had the opportunity to serve at the council for more than 40 years. Ankara announced its candidacy for one of the temporary seats allocated to the Western European and Other States Group (WEOG) in the U.N. Security Council for the term between 2009 and 2010 at the elections to be held during the 63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly in 2008.

There are two seats allocated to the WEOG and the council has five permanent members with veto power — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — since the U.N. was established in the wake of World War II.

Ten other nations are elected as non-permanent members for two-year terms each.