General Assembly designates friendship day and grants EU higher participation status

fom the UN 3 May 2011 

The General Assembly today voted to upgrade the status of the European Union’s (EU) participation at the United Nations 192-member body, and to designate 30 July as International Day of Friendship in an effort to strengthen amity between peoples and cultures.
The General Assembly resolution on the participation of the EU in the work of the UN was adopted by 180 UN Member States and will allow senior EU representatives to present to the Assembly the common positions of the European bloc. Syria and Zimbabwe abstained and 10 countries did not vote.
It also gives EU representatives the right to make interventions during sessions; be invited to participate in the general debate of the General Assembly; and permits EU communications relating to the sessions and work of the Assembly to be circulated directly as documents of the Assembly.
Under the resolution, EU representatives will also be permitted to present proposals and amendments agreed to by EU member States, but not to challenge decisions of the Assembly’s presiding officer. READ MORE
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