Europe

Global economy shows increasing signs of recovery – UN survey

10 December 2003
The global economy is showing increasing signs of a strengthening recovery this year, with growth expected to strengthen further in all major regions in 2004, according to a new United Nations report.

Kosovo: UN launches set of standards in preparation for final status

10 December 2003
Senior United Nations and local officials today launched a set of standards designed to prepare UN-administered Kosovo for final status, including free, fair and regular elections, free media and a sound and impartial legal system.

UN tribunal tells Serbia and Montenegro to produce accused general

10 December 2003
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has told Serbia and Montenegro that a former Yugoslav Army general facing charges over the 1991 siege of Dubrovnik must be transferred to the tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, immediately.

UN envoy in Kosovo signs regional statement against human trafficking

10 December 2003
A senior United Nations envoy in Kosovo joined the countries of South-Eastern Europe today in signing an agreement affirming their commitment to protect the rights and dignity of the victims and witnesses of human and child trafficking during a ministerial meeting in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.
Kofi Annan

UN Secretary-General deplores suicide bombing in Moscow

9 December 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today condemned the suicide bombing outside a hotel in central Moscow, saying terrorism "can never be justified under any circumstances whatsoever."

UN mission 'strongly condemns' attack on World Bank delegation in Kosovo

8 December 2003
The United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) today strongly condemned the violent attack on the World Bank Board of Governors over the weekend in Mitrovica, a town that has been a flashpoint of tension between ethnic Albanians and Serbs over the past two years.

Local authorities can help bridge the digital divide, Lyon conference told

8 December 2003
Local authorities have a crucial role to play in bridging the digital divide between North and South and ensuring that the South fully participates in the information society, the United Nations-organized World Summit of Cities and Local Authorities has been told.

UN bus damaged during disturbance in Kosovo

6 December 2003
One person suffered minor injuries and a number of vehicles were damaged today when a public disturbance flared up in Kosovo, the UN Mission in the province reported.
Kofi Annan

Annan condemns train explosion in the Russian Federation

5 December 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today condemned this morning's explosion inside a commuter train in the Russian Federation, saying the attack appears to be "yet another act of terrorism."
Displaced Chechens in Ingush camp of Alina

UN refugee office to monitor closure of camp for Chechen refugees in Ingushetia

5 December 2003
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said today it would monitor the closure this year by the Russian Federation's Migration Service of a third camp in Ingushetia for Chechen refugees.