Former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss named official candidate for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly

The Western European and Others Group (WEOG) within the United Nations appointed yesterday in New York former Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss as its official candidate for the office of president of the 65th General Assembly. Belgium had also proposed a candidate for the post, the former Foreign Minister and EU Commissioner Louis Michel. 

The WEOG will now present the candidature of former Federal Councillor Deiss as its only candidate to the General Assembly. The election takes place in spring 2010 in the General Assembly. The 65th UN General Assembly begins in September 2010 and lasts for one year. 

The Federal Council warmly welcomes this vote of confidence by the WEOG in Joseph Deiss and congratulates him on his appointment. The Federal Council is convinced that Switzerland is presenting an outstanding candidate in former Federal Councillor Deiss for the office of president of the United Nations General Assembly.  

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