Greece officially begins its two-year term as a non-permanent United Nations Security Council member on January 1.
The Council comprises 15 members: Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
The non-permanent members of the Council have several important functions, even though they do not have veto power like the five permanent members. They participate fully in discussions, debates, and decision-making on all issues on the Security Council’s agenda. This includes matters related to international peace and security, conflict resolution, and sanctions.
They also have the right to vote on resolutions and decisions of the Council. For a resolution to be adopted, it requires at least 9 votes out of 15, including no vetoes from permanent members. Non-permanent members’ votes can thus be crucial.
Apart from Greece, Denmark, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia are the four countries to get a non-permanent seat.
Greece was elected by securing 182 votes from the total of 188 countries that participated in the electoral process last June.
Greece’s priorities in the UN Security Council
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis outlined the country’s main priorities in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA).
More specifically, these priorities include promoting peaceful resolutions to global conflicts, upholding international law and strengthening the role of women in peace and security processes.
Additionally, the Greek government plans to emphasize humanitarian issues, including the protection of children in armed conflict and the existential threat of climate change.
Gerapetritis explained that Greece’s key goals on the Security Council also include enhancing maritime security and addressing the impact of terrorism.
“The realignment of the Security Council’s composition remains essential, as the current structure fails to reflect the modern geopolitical realities,” he said, also noting that veto power often hampers necessary decision-making. He criticized the system as “problematic,” especially when it obstructs critical decisions grounded in international law.
Turning to Greek foreign policy, Gerapetritis noted that Greek-Turkish relations have improved significantly in the past year and a half.
“Our intention in the coming period, ahead of the High-Level Cooperation Council meeting in the first months of 2025, is to continue exploring ways to strengthen our cooperation, as this is in the best interest of the peace and prosperity of both peoples,” he said.
However, the unresolved issue of maritime boundaries remains a point of tension. “The delimitation of the maritime zones is the sole difference between the two countries that could be brought to international legal authorities,” he stated. The two sides have divergent views on the scope of the discussion, but Gerapetritis stressed the need for progress, reiterating that “inactivity is not an option.”
On the Cyprus issue, Gerapetritis described ongoing efforts in collaboration with the Republic of Cyprus, supporting the UN secretary-general’s initiatives and aiming for a just, sustainable solution in line with UN resolutions.
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