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Will Brexit see European division at the UN Security Council?
UNITED NATIONS, United States, Jan 27, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – In a recent UN
Security Council vote on extending cross-border aid to Syria, Britain aligned
with the United States and abstained in a rare split with its European
partners that could herald others to come after Brexit.
Some diplomats played down the January 10 vote by pointing out that while
there can be coordination in such negotiations, the vote ultimately remains
above all a national political decision.
But others drew clear conclusions on the unusual position adopted by London
during the vote on Syria, which was co-authored by Germany and Belgium and
backed by France and Estonia.
“The United Kingdom is gaining independence,” a UN official speaking on
condition of anonymity told AFP.
“In negotiations, this may not change too much. But when it comes to votes,
whether or not to use a veto, it will weigh,” said the source.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, London wields veto power
equal to Paris, Washington, Moscow and Beijing.
With Britain’s exit from the EU on January 31, “the United Kingdom will no
longer be bound by European positions,” the official said.
“With the United States, the United Kingdom risks playing the same role as
China, which often acts in support of Russia.”
The rapprochement between President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister
Boris Johnson will also come into play, several diplomats at the UN
headquarters predicted.
What is certain is that Brexit will see Britain leave all European
coordination meetings which are held regularly in New York.
Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union provides that its members in the
UN Security Council “shall consult together” and “defend” the interests of
the bloc.
Instructions are still awaited from Brussels on the procedures to be
followed from February 1.
European members of the council, however, expect London to continue
“genuine cooperation” with them during the transition period, and they would
reciprocate.
– ‘Case by case’ –
For common positions, this will likely be on a “case by case” basis,
according to several diplomats who said they hope Britain retains a
“willingness to continue to work together” with the EU on various concerns
such as Iran or North Korea.
So far, Paris, Berlin and London have maintained a united front against the
US decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement.
In recent months, the three have also been in lockstep on North Korea,
calling for UN Security Council meetings after each ballistic missile test by
Pyongyang and jointly demanding the maintenance of international sanctions.
At the Security Council, France has more at risk than others with Britain’s
departure from the European Union.
Faced with an often unpredictable US administration, London and Paris could
present a united European front in three-way negotiations.
But in future, France could find itself in a minority vis-a-vis its two
partners.
Through the rotation of council’s non-permanent members, France could also
find itself as the only EU member among the 15 participants in 2022 if
Albania succeeds Estonia and Ireland is not elected next June.
No comments were forthcoming from the British diplomatic mission to the UN
on the future positioning of London in the Security Council or in the UN
General Assembly.
Will London move closer to the CANZ group (Canada, Australian and New
Zealand), all members of the Commonwealth? Or go it alone like Russia, China
and Japan do?
In this case, Britain “risks being pulled into the American orbit,” the UN
official believes.
And among the practical and immediate consequences of Brexit, London will
have to strengthen its diplomatic mission in New York since it will no longer
be represented in multiple UN meetings by the European mission.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0900 hrs