Sweden has sought Bangladesh’s support to become the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2017-18 term.
Swedish ambassador Johan Frisell along with envoys of Norway and Denmark, which supported Stockholm to become UNSC member, met Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque yesterday and sought Dhaka’s support, said a senior official of the Foreign Ministry.
Sweden enjoys the support of all the Nordic countries.
Apart from Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands are also vying for the non-permanent membership from Europe and the election for the place will be held at the UN General Assembly next year.
“Bangladesh is yet to make any decision on the UNSC election,” the official said.
Bangladesh has friendly relations with all the three contesting countries and it would consider the relevant factors before making any decision, he said.
Sweden strongly supported Bangladesh at the UN Human Rights Council election held last year while over 100,000 Bangladeshis are currently living in Italy. The Netherlands provides important assistance in water development in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh has experience of facing such situations and it has a very good track record in handling UN election affairs,” the ministry official said.
The top leaders of the three countries approached Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well when she attended the Asia Europe Meeting in Milan, Italy last year, he said.
The UNSC comprises 15 members where the USA, UK, Russia, France and China are permanent members and 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Sweden has been member of UNSC for three terms, Italy six and the Netherlands for five terms.
