Europe

Alexander Downer, UN advisor for Cyprus, will meet with leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities later this month in order to push for a resumption of negotiations for a solution to the decades-old Cyprus problem.

From stopping the spread of nuclear weapons to countering all forms of human trafficking, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the world's largest regional security grouping, today outlined areas for greater collaboration with the United Nations in its annual address to the Security Council.

Ban Ki-moon today welcomed a “landmark” agreement between leaders of Serbia and Kosovo in the context of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the European Union, voicing hoped that the new accord would help usher in a future of peace and stability in the Balkans.

A ‘pioneering leader’ and a ‘great model’ are among the praises Ban Ki-moon bestowed on Baroness Margaret Thatcher today following news of the death of the former British Prime Minister known as the ‘Iron Lady,’ as he expressed his deepest condolences to her family and country.

Two United Nations independent experts today urged the Hungarian Government to retract a recently passed amendment that criminalizes homelessness, stressing this will result in discrimination against those without shelter.

During a visit to Andorra, Ban Ki-moon today praised the Government’s remarkable success in empowering women, and encouraged the European country to continue promoting women’s political participation around the world.

Countries around the world have much to learn from San Marino’s democratic system, Ban Ki-moon said today, lauding the European nation’s efforts to strengthen its Government while listening to the demands of its citizens.

A senior United Nations envoy warned that ongoing tensions and incidents on the ground must not be allowed to jeopardize the political talks between Serbia and Kosovo which have resulted in important positive developments and must be permitted to achieve their potential.

Russia will assume on Friday rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of March , giving priority during its term to the development of the situation in Afghanistan the Russian Foreign Ministry said – Ria Novosti Informs

Ban Ki-moon and Greece’s Foreign Minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, discussed prospects for a settlement in Cyprus, as well as resolving the “name” dispute with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, during their meeting today in New York.