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Representatives of Africa have met with members of the G4 - Brazil, Germany, India and Japan - to discuss changes in the UN Security Council.
According to Brazil's minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim, the meeting was positive, with the two sides agreeing on more than they disagreed on.
The only problems were a wish by Africa for a bigger presence on the council than they got in the original G-4 proposal. There was also a difference of opinion with regard to veto power.
"Basically, we are all opposed to the discriminatory nature of the present veto system. Some want to eliminate the veto, others want to give it to everybody. But what we need is a realistic position; something that is possible," said Amorim.
Further talks are scheduled, with another ministerial meeting set for July 25. "I hope we can reach a common position. We have to deal with our differences," said Amorim.
The original G4 proposal calls for increasing the total number of countries represented on the Security Council from 15 to 25.
The number of permanent members would rise from 5 to 11 (with one more representative from the Americas, one more from Europe, two from Asia and two from Africa).
The G4 also proposes to renounce the right to a veto for 15 years, after which there would be another round of negotiations on the issue.
ABr - www.radiobras.gov.br
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