New Zealand Solicits Support for Security Council Seat

New Zealand wants Cameroon to support its candidature bid to seat in the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period 2015 to 2016.

Sir Donald Mckinnon, the special envoy of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key disclosed the information yesterday, December 17, 2013 in Yaounde after meeting with Cameroon's Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang. The Prime Minister received the special envoy on behalf of the Head of State, Paul Biya. Sir Donald Mckinnon, the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth told reporters that the vote in the UN will probably take place as from October 2014 and it is necessary that his country solicits Cameroon's support.

He disclosed to have had a good meeting with the Prime Minister, stating that Cameroon will take a decision and communicate to their government. The audience, according to Donald Mckinnon was also used to discuss issues about the Gulf of Guinea and the crisis in the Central African Republic. Should the country be voted into the UN Security Council, it will be able to take a position, the special envoy said.

On relations between Cameroon and the South East Asian country, New Zealand, the special envoy said they were good. The two countries are both members of the Commonwealth. Sir Donald Mckinnon said some young Cameroonians from the Ministry of External Relations were in New Zealand on an English Language training programme.

New Zealand, the special envoy said , had good experience in governance, renewable energy and agriculture it will like to share with Cameroon. The Minister of External Relations also had discussions with the special envoy. The Prime Minister was also programmed to offer a dinner in his honour.