UN Security Council comprehensive reform 'long overdue': Czech president

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The president of the Czech Republic added his voice Wednesday to demands for reform of the UN Security Council.

"Making the Council more effective, inclusive, accountable, and better reflecting today's realities by strengthening the voice of underrepresented regions is crucially needed," Petr Pavel told the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. "A comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council is long overdue."

Touching on the war in Ukraine, Pavel said Security Council membership is not "a carte blanche," and that no one has the right to "abuse power and bully other members" of the international community without sanctions.

He encouraged exercising more pressure on Russia to end its war on Ukraine that began in early 2022.

He said the Summit on Peace in Ukraine that was held in Switzerland in June confirmed that peace in Ukraine must be based on international law and principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Russia's policy and "its disinterest" in peace talks has global consequences.