EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner meets UN Secretary-General Ban

The European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 13 April to meet the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro, Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guéhenno and Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, B. Lynn Pascoe.

During her meetings with the UN representatives, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will discuss a range of key international issues, including the Middle East, Kosovo, Sudan and DRC, as well as a number of situations in Asia. She will also have an exchange of views with her interlocutors on the state of the UN reform process.

On the eve of her visit, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "The EU's long-standing relationship with the UN is at a very important stage. Today, our commitment to the UN goes well beyond the traditional strong financial support in the areas of development and humanitarian assistance. It is based on strongly convergent objectives in many areas and translates into an active partnership with the UN in policy, normative and operational work. The EU and the UN need each other today more than ever."

This is the first time that Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner has visited the UN since Ban Ki-moon was appointed its Secretary General last December.

| Arriba |

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