By Bernama
Moscow : United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrives in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss an international agenda and the UN reform, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.
“During the conversations with Ban Ki-moon, the broadest range of items on the UNSC agenda will be touched upon, such as the situation in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq, progress in the Middle East peace process, and conflict situations on the African continent,” Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency quoted Kamynin as saying here.
He said that UN reform, including that of its Security Council, is another theme we are planning to discuss with the Secretary General. It is important to understand that the necessity of elaborating consensus decisions and multilateral formats stems from objective international realities.
The main guideline for reforming the world Organisation is the all-out enhancement of its effectiveness and promptitude in responding to threats and challenges that arise. Our position on any change in the Organisation remains invariable: we presume that key decisions should be made based on the broadest consensus of member states.
“Unfortunately, “crisis tangles” on the globe map are not becoming fewer. The character of global challenges and threats is changing. Equally worrying is the fact that unilateral, sometimes ill-considered and irresponsible actions of a number of international community members bypassing the UN not only harm the prestige of the world Organization, but also, as we see from the Kosovo example, lead directly to a complication of the international situation,” Kamynin said, adding “It is my belief, however, that the experience and potential amassed by the UN enable flexibly and comprehensively responding to the problems of our time,” he underlined.
The spokesman believes that the visit will “help the further in strengthening of comprehensive Russia-UN cooperation, which bears an intensive and fruitful character.
“Regarding the United Nations as the core element of a multipolar world pattern, we lay special emphasis not only on fostering multilateral collaboration with the member states of the Organization, but also on maintaining a trustful relationship with those who direct the work of the complex and multi-component UN system, above all its Secretary General,” he said.
Ban Ki-moon already visited Moscow in November 2006 after his appointment as UN Secretary General, but before taking office.
“There should be a match for Russia’s grown role in international affairs, which continues to gain momentum – even the downright skeptics can’t deny this fact today – in our weighty representation in the subdivisions of the UN Secretariat, including its governing structures,” Kamynin underlined.
Ban Ki-moon is expected to meet with representatives of the Russian leadership. He plans to have talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
In addition, the UN secretary general will meet in Moscow the leaders of public organisation, and make a speech at the Moscow State University.
He will also meet with the directors of leading Russian media outlets at Itar-Tass.
Earlier, Ban Ki-moon supported Russia’ initiative to host an international conference on the Middle East. He noted he was “ready to discuss any issues with the Russian leadership.”