European Union and the United Nations
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| United Nations membership | |
|---|---|
| Membership | Observer (enhanced) |
| Since | 1974 (enhanced: 2011) |
| Former name(s) | European Communities |
| UNSC seat | Ineligible |
| Ambassador | João Vale de Almeida |
The European Union (EU) has been an observer state at the United Nations (UN) since 1974 and has had enhanced participation rights since 2011. The EU itself does not have voting rights but it is represented alongside its 28 members, two of which are permanent members of the Security Council, those being France and the United Kingdom.
The EU holds an enhanced observer status at the UN. While normal observers such as the Arab League and the Red Cross are not allowed to speak before Member States at the UN General Assembly, the EU was granted the right to speak among representatives of major groups on 3 May 2011. These include: the right to speak in debates among representatives of major groups, before individual states, to submit proposals and amendments, the right of reply, to raise points of order and to circulate documents. However, the EU does not have voting rights nor the right to sit on the Security Council.
The EU is represented by the President of the European Council, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Commission and the EU delegations. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy made the EU's inaugural speech to the general assembly on the 22 September 2011. Prior to the granting of its speaking rights, the EU was represented by the state holding the rotating Council presidency.
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