8 Jul 2011

Hungary looks for Pacific support for UN Security Council seat

4:24 pm on 8 July 2011

Hungary is reported to be approaching a number of Pacific Island nations to establish diplomatic relations.

The Nepszabadsag Daily reports that Hungary is looking to forge links with Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu as part of its campaign to win support to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The seat reserved for the group of 23 central and eastern European nations will become vacant in 2012.

There are three candidates for it - Hungary, Slovenia and Azerbaijan.

Slovenia is also understood to be also lobbying support among Pacific nations, with Fiji media reporting in April that Slovenia was seeking observer status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.