EU wants bigger U.N. role

BRUSSELS, July 15 (UPI) -- The European Union has asked the United Nations to give it some of the privileges enjoyed by member states, including addressing the General Assembly.

A draft proposal agreed to by EU members would not change the organization's observer status, the EUobserver reported. Its representatives would still sit on the sidelines with those from the Vatican, Red Cross and Arab League.

The proposal was outlined in a ministerial letter submitted Wednesday by Britain.

But the plan would allow European Council President Herman Van Rompuy the privilege of addressing the General Assembly like heads of state. The EU would also be able to submit resolutions and amendments, to reply and to make points of order.

The Lisbon Treaty established the goal of having the EU establish its own diplomatic corps implementing a joint foreign policy.

The U.N. General Assembly must approve a resolution giving the EU greater rights.