Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Annex XIV
Proposals on decision-making in the Security Council and the veto right, submitted by Germany, dated 21 April 1998: voting rights of the existing permanent members*
Germany proposes that reform of the Security Council take into consideration the following elements:
- The use of the veto is a matter of general concern. Reform and expansion of the Security Council call for a thorough examination of the issue;
- The members of the Security Council shall make every effort to seek consensus in the Council decision-making process;
- The permanent members of the Security Council shall make statements, either individually or collectively, that the veto will be exercised in a manner consistent with their responsibilities under the Charter;
- The permanent members shall be generally guided by the annex to resolution 267 (III) of 14 April 1949 regarding which matters should be deemed procedural;
- In the event of any veto of a draft resolution of the Security Council, the permanent members should accompany that decision with an explanation of such action;
- A high-level working group should consider the question of the veto and submit any agreed recommendations to the General Assembly as soon as it is able, if possible prior to the adoption of Charter amendments.
