Nordic Ministers support Icelandic candidacy to the Security Council 2009-2010

In support of Iceland's first time candidacy to the UN Security Council for the 2009-2010 period, the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have written to all of their United Nations counterparts.

The joint letter, which was sent to capitals on 17 September, reminds 187 colleagues that all five Nordic countries work as one in campaigning for Iceland?s candidacy to one of the two non-permanent seats allocated to the Western European and other States Group (WEOG). The elections will take place during the 63rd General Assembly in the autumn of 2008.

The Nordic Foreign Ministers appreciate the wide support already expressed by a growing majority of UN members for Iceland's first time candidacy. With one year until the elections, the letter recalls the deep-rooted historical commitment of the Nordic countries to the work and ideals of the United Nations. Iceland fully shares that commitment, as its record at the UN since 1946 shows, and would be guided by the principles of the UN as a Security Council member. The Joint Nordic Letter