(CS) Luxembourg's application for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council for 2013 to 2014 will be decided upon on October 18, as Australia and Finland also vie for the spot.

Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said that everything had been done to ensure Luxembourg stood the best chance to gain the seat. However, he admitted that it would be tough.

Australia as a continent had higher means to invest in the post, commented Asselborn, while the other contender Finland currently enjoyed a very positive reputation within Europe.

The General Assembly of all 193 member states votes on the issue in October, with at least two thirds of votes needed to secure the seat. Asselborn is hoping for support from Africa, large parts of Asia and South America.

A benefit for Luxembourg either way

It would be the first time for the Grand Duchy to hold the prestigious post, giving it more visibility on the international floor.

In 2001 plans for a temporary seat had first been voiced, and since 2006 Asselborn has been campaigning for Luxembourg. He has particularly highlighted Luxembourg's strong efforts in development aid.

But even if Asselborn's efforts fail, he had said that the campaign alone will have strengthened Luxembourg's profile abroad. “We have shown that Luxembourg is far more that just a financial centre or the richest country on the planet. We are involved in the world, not where wars are fought, but where it's about rebuilding countries,” Asselborn commented this week.

A confident foreign policy

Should Luxembourg gain the temporary seat, it would have to comment on all international matters and foreign policy issues, something the Grand Duchy has never had to do before. However, earlier this year, Asselborn stated that “if we want to be a confident country, we need a confident foreign policy.”

While Luxembourg has never held a seat on the Security Council, the Grand Duchy led the Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) in 2009 and in 1975 Luxembourg Prime Minister Gaston Thorn was President of the 30th General Assembly.