The Holy See has issued a communiqué acknowledging that it is not entitled to oppose the tabling of a draft resolution by a Member State but pointing out “the long established praxis and tradition whereby only flags of member States are displayed at the UN headquarters and offices”
The Holy See “does not object to the tabling of a draft resolution concerning the raising of the flags of Observer States at the UN headquarters and offices”. At the same time, however, it recalls that according to tradition, only the flags of member states are usually displayed at the UN headquarters and offices. The Holy See issued a communiqué stating this earlier this evening. In recent days the Holy See had clarified that it did not intend to co-sponsor a draft resolution of the State of Palestine requesting that the flags of the two non-member observer states (Palestine and the Vatican) fly alongside those of the 193 member nations.
“In accordance with the rules governing the General Assembly,” today’s press release reads, “no Member or Observer State is entitled to oppose the tabling of a draft resolution by a Member State. In light of this, the Holy See does not object to the tabling of a draft resolution concerning the raising of the flags of Observer States at the UN headquarters and offices.”
“The Holy See, however, notes the long established praxis and tradition of the UN, since 1945, whereby only flags of member States are displayed at the UN headquarters and offices, and will accept whatever decision that the UN may wish to take in this regard in the future.”
