Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 25 / Trend E.Tariverdiyeva /
Azerbaijan's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2012-2013 is a much deserved recognition for a country which regained its independence and unique character as a bridge between East and West, and North and South, the leading expert of the Heritage Foundation for Russian and Eurasian Studies and International Energy Policy, member of Trend Expert Council believes.
"Azerbaijan is a country that will be much better known now as it contributes to the questions of preventing war and securing peace," Ariel Cohen said.
Despite all the difficulties, this is also a great achievement for the Azerbaijani diplomatic team headed so capably by Foreign Minister Mammadyarov, he added.
"In a tough fight, Azeri diplomacy demnostrated that it came of age," Cohen said.
Azerbaijan became a non-permanent UNSC member for the first time.
Before the last round of voting, Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar announced the withdrawal of his country's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. In a voting round prior to this statement, Azerbaijan gained 116 votes, and Slovenia only 77.
In the last round 155 countries voted for Azerbaijan, 24 countries abstained and another 13 still voted for Slovenia.
In general, Azerbaijan gained more votes than Slovenia in previous six voting rounds, but was unable to collect 129 votes necessary for the election.
The UN headquarters in New York has today continued the elections of non-permanent Security Council members for 2012-2013.
Azerbaijan nominated its candidacy for a non-permanent UNSC member from the Eastern European group. Hungary and Slovenia in addition to Azerbaijan have claimed for one place from this group.
Based on Article 23 of the UN Charter, the General Assembly elects ten non-permanent Security Council members, paying attention in the first instance to the country's participation in the maintenance of international peace and security and achieving other objectives.