Germany, Pakistan acknowledge differences over UN reform

Germany and Pakistan differed over the reform of the United Nations Security Council, but both sides stressed on Tuesday that the difference would not affect bilateral relations.

"We have differences about the question of the tempo of this reform. I was happy to learn that the Pakistani position is in no way opposed to Germany," Schroeder said in Berlin after talks with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Aziz said, "Pakistan, the government, the leadership and the people of Pakistan hold Germany in the highest esteem. Our stand on the UN reform is based on principles we have always maintained that the UN needs reform but it should be done on consensus."

Germany belongs to the Group of four (G4) nations including Brazil, India and Japan that have been seeking permanent seats in the Security Council.

The four countries have aimed at enlarging the Council from the current 15 members to 25 by creating six new permanent seats without veto power and four non-permanent seats.

But Pakistan takes the side of the so-called "United for Consensus" group, which includes Argentina, Italy and Mexico.

They reject the G4 scheme and propose creating 10 new non- permanent seats on the Council.

Source: Xinhua