Germany’s Policy on Afghanistan in the United Nations Security Council in 1995–1996

The article describes the policy on Afghanistan conducted by Germany during its temporary membership in the UN Security Council in 1995–1996. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the Russian Federation was responsible for global peace and security, Sergei V. Lavrov being the Russian ambassador to the UN during the period under consideration. Based on archival and previously unpublished documents, the authors identified the key parameters, characteristics, and trends of the Afghan vector in Germany’s policy in the UN system. They relied on the principles of historicism and objectivity, as well as on Clive Archer’s role concept of international organizations. Germany’s activities in the Security Council revealed the duality of its foreign policy regarding the conflict in Afghanistan. After several decades of post-war diplomatic efforts to regain political influence, Germany opposed the crucial role of the Security Council on the Afghan issue. It focused on the General Assembly in an attempt to support Norbert Hall, who was the German Special Envoy in Afghanistan and the Head of the UNSMA mission, which was initiated by the UN General Assembly. As a result, Germany tried to minimize the role of the Security Council in Afghanistan in favor of the General Assembly.

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