The European Union, following from the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty which came into force at the end of last year, has submitted a proposal to the UN General Assembly to allow it greater powers within the organisation. The EU currently has only observer status at the UN, but wants to gain some of the powers enjoyed by member states such as the right to make proposals and submit amendments, the right of reply, the right to raise points of order and the right to circulate documents.

While the EU does not intend to take a seat among the member states at the General Assembly, it has requested extra seats for the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, and her staff.

The decision to agree to the resolution will have many critics inside the UK government, whose ruling eurosceptic Conservative Party opposed such a move while in opposition. A British diplomat denied that the EU could in future replace Britain on the UN Security Council. “This is a completely separate discussion. This is about the government's new, engaged and open approach to the EU,” he said.

“There is no change in seating arrangements. The EU will not now be sitting amongst the UN member states ... between Ethiopia and Fiji,” the diplomat added.

Source:

• EUobserver