By Kang Hyun-kyung
Spain added its support Tuesday (local time) for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s bid for a second-term.
In a statement, the Spanish government said it will support Ban for his re-election as secretary general to give him the opportunity of a new period of five years more of service to the international community.
“Spain appreciates the personal commitment of Ban Ki-moon with the United Nations’ system, with its principles and values, and is grateful for the efforts consecrated to fulfill the organization’s goals during these five years,” it said.
The Spanish government recognized the U.N. chief’s commitment and leadership after the earthquake in Haiti, the flooding in Pakistan and other global issues such as AIDS, climate change and poverty.
Spain’s support for Ban followed the international community’s sweeping endorsement of the former South Korean foreign minister as U.N. chief.
Permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and major Asian countries have expressed their support for Ban in his bid for a second-term. North Korea also backed the U.N. chief.
Early this month, Mark Toner, a U.S. state department spokesman, said the United States welcomed Ban’s announcement that he will seek a second-term as secretary general.
“Clearly, the U.N. faces an array of daunting challenges. And we’ve worked constructively with Secretary General Ban on many of them,” he said.
Hong Lei, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said, “As an Asian, Ban has served as U.N. secretary general over the past four year and China applauds him for his role.”