Israel elected to Universal Postal Union Operations Council

(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
For the first time in the history of the organization, the Israel Postal Company has been chosen to represent Israel on the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union at the 24th Universal Postal Congress held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Israel has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since December 1949, but was never elected to serve on its professional decision-making body - the Operations Council. The Council takes decisions relating to the operation of international postal services, financial issues and setting standards in quality of service. At the current UPU Congress, Israel was elected to serve on the Council for four years.
The election of Israel to international organizations is virtually impossible due to the anti-Israeli atmosphere general prevailing in the United Nations institutions and many of its member states. Thus, every vote won is the result of a complex process of bilateral negotiation in the multilateral context. Israel's election by almost 90 votes is the result of almost two years' work, and of cooperation between the Israel Foreign Ministry, the Israel Postal Company and the Ministry of Communications. The election campaign itself was spearheaded by the Israeli Mission to the UN in Geneva.
Itzhak Levanon, Israel's Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, said: "This is a significant achievement for Israel in the framework of the the UN institutions. We do not enjoy many such events, and this success leaves me hopeful for the future. I hope that this will herald further Israel achievements at the UN institutions in Geneva."
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is located in Bern, Switzerland. The 24th Congress originally scheduled to be held in Kenya was transferred to Geneva due to the security situation in Kenya. The next UPU Congress is scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar in 2012.

עד כאן.
מח' מידע ואינטרנט – אגף תקשורת
10 אוגוסט 2008