The Czech Republic presents its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the biennium 2008 - 2009, in the elections to be held during the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in October 2007.

Situated in the very heart of Europe, the Czech Republic is a peace-loving country with a population of ten million and a rich intellectual and cultural tradition. It has always sought good relations with its neighbours and cooperation with all countries of the world. Its credo has been prevention and non-violent resolution of disputes. A proof of this was the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia whose part the Czech Republic formed until 1992.

Recently, the Czech Republic has accomplished deep economic and social transformation to become a developed market economy with functioning democratic institutions. Since 2004 it is a member of the European Union. These developments also helped to reinforce in the Czech Republic the awareness of global responsibility, as well as faith in multilateral cooperation.

The Czech Republic has been steadily increasing its foreign development and humanitarian assistance as well as its voluntary contributions towards United Nations programmes and funds. It has been sending its troops, military observers, policemen and civilian experts to many United Nations peacekeeping missions, and has been participating in operations under the United Nations mandate in the Balkans and in Afghanistan.

The Czech Republic is fully aware of the magnitude of challenges facing the United Nations and its Security Council: The changing nature of conflicts, combating terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and, in more general terms, the creation of conditions for ensuring peace and security. After all, there can be no security without development just as there can be no development without security.

As a member of the Security Council, the Czech Republic wants to follow up its successful work in this body in 1994-1995, as well as its other activities in the United Nations, including the Presidency of the UN General Assembly (2002-2 003) or its current membership in the ECOSOC and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. It stands ready to contribute its share towards the solution of the acute problems facing today's world.