Europe

A train prepares to leave Serbia near the start of an 8000-kilometer delivery of spent nuclear fuel to Russia

UN agency coordinates transfer of nuclear waste from Serbia to Russia

22 December 2010
The United Nations nuclear watchdog has coordinated a multinational project carried out by Serbia to move two and half tonnes of highly radioactive nuclear spent fuel to a secure Russian facility, where the material arrived today.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay

UN human rights chief condemns post-electoral violence in Belarus

21 December 2010
The United Nations human rights chief today voiced deep concern about the violence that erupted after Sunday’s presidential election in Belarus, including the abduction of opposition candidates, and called for the immediate release of those detained.

Romania provides UN agency with funding to help Moldova gather agriculture data

16 December 2010
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced today that Romania has provided it with more than half a million dollars to aid its neighbour Moldova – the first time Romania has ever entered into a contribution agreement with the UN agency.
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders Dervis Eroglu (right) and Demetris Christofias

UN-sponsored talks on Cyprus reunification make progress on economic issues

15 December 2010
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders made more progress today on economic issues and exchanged further ideas on governance and power sharing in United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
UNFICYP on patrol

Security Council extends UN mission in Cyprus despite Turkey’s negative vote

14 December 2010
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission that has been in place in Cyprus since 1964 following an outbreak of inter-communal violence by a vote of 14 to 1, with Turkey casting the lone negative vote.
A group of new arrivals from Africa in a Malta detention centre

Tighter policing of European borders must not hinder access to asylum – UN agency

10 December 2010
The United Nations refugee agency today called on the European Union (EU) and its border agency, known as FRONTEX, to ensure that asylum in Europe is not being threatened in the drive for tighter policing of the continent’s external borders.

Secretary-General looks to Europe to help lead way on aid for developing countries

6 December 2010
The European Union can help lead the way forward in development cooperation and achieve aid targets, especially for least developed countries (LDCs), despite stringent budget cuts, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) meets with Dimitris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu (file photo)

Window of opportunity in Cyprus talks ‘rapidly closing,’ Ban warns

3 December 2010
Warning that talks to reunite Cyprus could “founder fatally” if substantive agreement is not reached within the next few months, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to ready a practical plan by January to overcome major differences.
WFP plane brings food supplies to Georgia

As winter sets in, UN agency prepares to feed vulnerable families in Georgia

2 December 2010
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today that it will provide food aid this winter to 6,700 people in Georgia who have been displaced several times since fleeing their homes in 2008 amid fighting in South Ossetia.
Pompei in Italy

Collapses prompt UNESCO mission to assess threats to Pompeii

1 December 2010
A series of structural collapses in Pompeii have prompted an urgent visit from United Nations experts to examine and assess the extent of the damage at one of the world’s most important archaeological sites.