The European Union should have a single seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council to boost its weight in world affairs, incoming European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said today.
"If you really want the EU to be recognised as an international player on an equal footing with other international players, then that is necessary," the new commissioner, who is outgoing Austrian foreign minister, told a European Parliament confirmation hearing.
"The Security Council does not represent today's realities," Ms Ferrero-Waldner told parliament's foreign affairs committee.
She hastened to add that her idea was a long-term vision, not an immediate proposal to replace Britain and France, the two EU powers with permanent seats on the 15-member council.
"This is a longterm view with regard to the UN seat," she told reporters.
Her comments may nevertheless irritate London and Paris, which both support giving Germany a permanent seat in a reform of the highest UN decision-making body but have resisted any move to yield their own seats on the top table.
The other permanent members with veto power are the United States, Russia and China.