Turkey seeks support for seat on Security Council

Foreign Minister Gul, in New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly meetings, has been holding talks with his counterparts to foster support for Turkey’s bid.

As part of his diplomacy, Gul has signed protocols with some countries to ensure mutual support for Security Council membership bids. South Korea is among these countries, according to the Anatolia news agency.

Two countries from the Western Europe group will be vacating their seats. Turkey will automatically be given membership if the number of candidates for the vacated seats does not exceed two. If more than two countries come out as candidates, then the new member will be elected following a vote.

The election for new members of the Security Council for 2009 and 2010 will be held in October 2008, in the UN General Assembly.
Turkey, if elected, will be a U.N. Security Council member from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010.