Japan's Quest for a Permanent UN Security Council Seat: Part Three - G8 and EU tensions over UNSC Expansion

Emyr Jones Parry (UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations) and J. Sean Curtin (Fellow, GLOCOM and Asia Times)

A full list of articles in this series can be found here.

While tensions over the proposed expansion of the UN Security Council (UNSC) have publicly caused tensions between China and Japan, less noticeable friction has also been created within the G8 and EU over the same issue.

Sean Curtin: United Nations Security Council reform proposals have already brought simmering Sino-Japanese tensions to the fore, seriously damaging relations between the two countries. Italy is one of the countries spearheading the "Uniting For Consensus"* group which is opposed to a proposal to expand the body by adding new permanent members to the Security Council. Italy is also a member of the G8, as are Japan and Germany, both of whom want a permanent Security Council seat as envisaged under the Plan A proposals. Do you foresee any tensions at the next G8 Summit in Gleneagles [on 6-8 July]?

Emyr Jones Parry: Yes, there will be a little bit of tension. There already is within the European Union. It has stopped the EU from taking such a positive position on the question of reform as there might have been. There was an agreement on a common position on institutional reform. I would expect the level of disagreement at the G8 to be rather less, because the G8 will concentrate more on the development objectives where there is not such a dispute between the nations.

Sean Curtin: Do you think that the Plan B proposals for Security Council expansion may emerge as the compromise option? What are your personal thoughts on this issue?

Emyr Jones Parry: I really don't think anyone knows the answer. We will have to wait until the resolution is on the table. It is only then that we will have a clear idea what countries think.

A full list of articles in this series can be found here.

Note

* The "United for Consensus" group was formerly known as the "Coffee Club," and includes Pakistan, Italy and South Korea and several other countries. They oppose an increase in the number of permanent seats (Model A option) and are primarily focused on UNSC enlargement by increasing the number of non-permanent members (Model B option).

Emyr Jones Parry's comments were made at Chatham House (Royal Institute for International Affairs) in London on 16 May 2005.