After noting that a reform of the Security Council is ripe, he also pointed to the need to achieve widest possible consensus on this issue and prevent the organisation from dissension. Denisov further stressed the importance of keeping a renewed UN Security Council compact.
"An excessive expansion of the Council would have a negative effect on its working ability with all ensuing consequences for international security," he said.
Denisov also argued strongly against infringement of the prerogatives and powers of the current permanent members of the Security Council, including their right of veto.
"Groundless criticism of this important institution helping to maintain the necessary balance of interests between Council members only fuels needless emotions and does not at all alleviate the attainment of consensus sought on reform parameters," the Russian representative pointed out. "As regards the granting of the veto right to new permanent members, we still proceed from the inadvisability of its examination until agreement is reached on a specific make-up of an expanded Security Council."
Denisov indicated that Russia is looking forward with interest to recommendations on the UN reform, which are to be submitted by December to Secretary-General Kofi Annan by the high-level panel on threats, challenges and change he formed.
"We expect that panel members will justify their perception as real 'wise men' and will work out recommendations for the actual reinforcement and improvement of UN mechanisms, including the Security Council," the Russian ambassador said. "We hope that the proposals of the Secretary-General on the results of the Wise-men Group will also take into account the wide spectrum of approaches to the reform of the Security Council."
Academician Yevgeny Primakov represents Russia in the Wise-men Group.
