Latvia cautiously optimistic about seat of non-permanent member at UN Security Council

RIGA - Latvia is cautiously optimistic about its chances of becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Diana Eglite, Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, told LETA.

The Foreign Ministry explained that Latvia is currently the only candidate from the Eastern European group for the only seat that this group is entitled to on the UN Security Council. Until January 31, Latvia was in competition with Montenegro, but Montenegro decided to withdraw its candidacy.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that there is no formal deadline for countries to submit candidatures to the UN Security Council, but in practice this happens very early, years or even decades in advance, as it involves serious lobbying efforts and preparations for UN Security Council membership.

"At the moment, there are no indications that any other country of the Eastern European group is planning to submit its candidacy for the 2026 and 2027 terms, so we are cautiously optimistic about Latvia's chances of being elected to the UN Security Council," Eglite said.

The ministry pointed out that Latvia is one of the two EU member states that have not been elected to the UN Security Council so far, the other being Cyprus. The ministry also pointed out that one of the most important reasons why Latvia wants to be on the UN Security Council is related to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the fact that the outcome of this aggression will have a major impact on the future of the UN as a whole.

"We will see how international principles and international law will be changed, and in this respect we have a fundamental disagreement with Russia. This is an opportunity to continue to keep the spotlight on Russian violations in Ukraine, such as violations against prisoners of war, children and women's rights," said the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

The UN Security Council General Assembly elections are scheduled for June 3 this year.

Of the 193 UN member states, 189 would currently have voting rights, but this number is subject to change as the UN charter suspends voting rights in the General Assembly for non-payment by a member state. In April, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Guinea-Bissau and Venezuela had their voting rights suspended.

At least two thirds of the total number of votes, which is currently at least 126, are needed for election. The ministry said that Latvia is counting on being elected and the country's goal is to have a strong, broad national mandate, a qualified majority.

The Foreign Ministry noted that Latvia's candidacy for the UN Security Council was submitted in 2011, that the process has been active over the past years, and that the intensive campaign started in October 2023 in the presence of President Edgars Rinkevics.

"Traditionally, examples of retaliation, disinformation, slander have been felt from Russia. We have also seen Russian attempts to influence other countries. We have a regular diplomatic struggle over the interpretation of history regarding the events of the Second World War," Eglite said.

The ministry stressed that Russia tries to push through resolutions every year, and there are quite a few accusations against both Ukraine and the Baltic states. The ministry mentioned Russia's disinformation on human rights and minority rights in the Baltics, which Latvia continues to refute.