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Delano: Why is Luxembourg putting its name forward?
Jean Asselborn: I think that it's not only a right, but it's a duty to be, at one time-as a founding member-a candidate for the Security Council
Delano: What does Luxembourg bring to the table?
Jean Asselborn: Luxembourg can [demonstrate leadership] for instance in ODA, official development assistance, in cooperation policy, politics in favour of the poorer countries in the world. We have established, since the 80s, a very high level of ODA. It is about one percent of our GDP. With Norway, we are the best in this concern.
Delano: How is the campaign going?
Jean Asselborn: I think that if you have never been in the Security Council, it is for a lot of countries [in the General Assembly] an advantage. Finland and Australia have already been in the Security Council. It's not the same. We are not a candidate against other candidates. We are promoting the specificities and advantages that Luxembourg can offer. We managed 11 presidencies of the European Union. Eleven. Sometimes we have done it, as people say, better than bigger countries. When we do this, we do it with 300 people. Others need 3,000 people.
Delano: Will Luxembourg really be able to go toe-to-toe against the permanent members, giant countries like China or the US?
Jean Asselborn: We are not against China or the US. If you have the presidency of the EU, you coordinate. If you are in the Security Council, I think you have to defend what you think corresponds to international law and the charter of the United Nations. So it's not against' anybody else. It is in favour of the values of the UN.
Delano: This is a highly visible, global position. Are you concerned about Luxembourg losing its relatively low profile and making enemies?
Jean Asselborn: Every sovereign country has to have a very clear political position concerning the problems of security in the world. I cannot agree with what happens in Syria, for instance, and I have to say why. I cannot agree with what happens in the Middle East and I have to say why. I cannot agree that in Africa, we have a lack of understanding and that we are not engaged enough in solving the problems of poverty.
Delano: Will you be disappointed if you are not elected?
Jean Asselborn: The lights in the Security Council will not go out, and the lights in Luxembourg also will not go out. The advantage of this long-term campaign is to put Luxembourg on the map; [to show] that we are not only a financial centre, and that we not only have a lot of money here. But that we have the reflex to give something to those who have less than we have.
Delano: Are you optimistic about winning the poll?
Jean Asselborn: I am optimistic that a lot of countries will consider Luxembourg as a valuable member of the Security Council. As for the election, I know that it is difficult and I don't want to make any predictions. I would be very, very glad for our country if we were elected. I would also be very glad for our diplomatic corps, because the motivation is there to do it. But I always say, it's a very interesting experience and maybe during the next century we will not have another possibility to do it. So let's see what will happen.
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