Europe

Anastassis Mitsialis, Chairman of the Delegation of Greece

At UN, Greece hits out on name issue with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

29 September 2009
Greece today voiced frustration at the lack of progress in United Nations-backed talks for resolving its long-running dispute with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the latter country’s official name.
Amb. Alexandru Cujba of Moldova

Moldova spotlights breakaway region in address to UN Assembly

29 September 2009
Hope for a peaceful solution to the separatist conflict in Moldova’s Transdniestrian region lies in its demilitarization and democratization, the country’s ambassador to the United Nations told the General Assembly today.
A midwife examines a pregnant woman at a clinic

UN forum on reproductive health in protracted crises kicks off in Spain

28 September 2009
Health officials, many from countries either in or recovering from long-running crises, are meeting at a United Nations forum in Granada, Spain, to find ways to meet the neglected sexual and reproductive health needs of people during and immediately after crisis situations.
Foreign Minister Péter Balázs of Hungary

Hungary champions rights of minorities during address to General Assembly

28 September 2009
Vibrant minority groups strengthen countries rather than undermine them, Hungary’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today as he warned of “alarming tendencies” to curtail the political, cultural and educational opportunities worldwide in the wake of the financial crisis.
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan of Armenia

Dialogue vital to resolving Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Armenia tells UN

28 September 2009
The ongoing dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is part of Azerbaijan’s territory but is occupied by Armenian forces, could be settled as long as both sides refrain from taking action that hampers the peace process, Armenia’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power of Ireland

Time to act to combat global hunger is now, Ireland tells UN debate

28 September 2009
The fact that one billion people on the planet suffer from hunger represents a collective failure by the international community, Ireland told the General Assembly today, stressing that the time to act together to eradicate this scourge is now.
UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

UNESCO restores landmark headquarters complex in Paris

26 September 2009
Officials have unveiled the landmark Paris headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which have just been restored in a €100 million project that aims to slash the complex’s energy consumption, improve security and introduce more modern technology.
Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan

Some hope of end to stalemate over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan tells UN

26 September 2009
Hopes are rising for a potential end to the years of deadlock in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is part of Azerbaijan’s territory but is occupied by Armenian forces, Azerbaijan has told the General Assembly’s high-level debate.
Yves Leterme, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium

European States speak out at UN debate over hate speech

26 September 2009
Hate speech still has the potential to fan fears and tensions between peoples and to eventually lead to real bloodshed, European countries told the annual high-level segment of the General Assembly today, urging United Nations Member States to remain vigilant against the problem.
Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Iceland hails plan to establish single new UN agency for women

26 September 2009
Iceland today welcomed recently announced plans to amalgamate four United Nations agencies and offices that promote the rights and well-being of women worldwide and encourage gender equality into one single entity within the Organization.