UN votes to give European Union special rights

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The European Union has won the right to speak at the United Nations on behalf of its 27 member states.

The largely symbolic change means the EU can address UN meetings through its own officials, rather than the country holding its rotating presidency, but does not give it voting rights.

The decision comes after years of lobbying by the European bloc.

Some smaller UN member states have expressed concern their voices will be marginalised by the move.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13276053

[pampango]

1. UK Telegraph: EU wins super-observer status at UN

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/8490946/EU-wins-super-observer-status-at-UN.html

The European Union on Tuesday secured super-observer status at the United Nations after overcoming objections from small states that they could see their influence eroded. A vote was passed by the 192-nation UN General Assembly after high-powered lobbying by EU foreign affairs representative Catherine Ashton and ambassadors from the 27-nation bloc.

Other regional groups such as the Arab League, African Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) may now seek a similar extra observer rights at the global body, diplomats said.

A bid by Zimbabwe to weaken the changes was overwhelmingly rejected.

But many states said they would be closely watching for abuses of the system. And African and Arab states said the acceptance of the special rights for the European Union was a precedent that could be followed by other regional organisations such as the African Union and Arab League.


The EU foreign affairs representative Lady Catherine Ashton was influential in securing the vote

[No Elephants]

2. When did EU become a "nation?'

[DumpDavisHogg]

3. Probably when the UN decided to endorse the right-wing coup in Honduras (n/t)

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. When did the UN 'endorse' the right-wing coup in Honduras?

[WatsonT]

5. If they're a nation then shouldn't every member state be removed?

If not can we enter all of our 50 states as well as the US and get 51 votes?

More if we include territories.

[Nihil]

6. Reading the OP helps ...

> The largely symbolic change means the EU can address UN meetings through
> its own officials, rather than the country holding its rotating presidency,
> but does not give it voting rights.

:hi:

[WatsonT]

7. Still seems silly

and probably a move towards granting them statehood.