Europe

UN de-mining programme in Cyprus threatened by lack of funds, endangering lives

29 December 2008
A United Nations-backed landmine clearing operation in Cyprus is in danger of folding next month before its work in de-mining the buffer zone on the island is complete, risking the lives of the local population.
Dignitaries gather in front of the centre as some of the asylum-seekers look on

Serbia’s only asylum centre now in Government hands after UN transfer

24 December 2008
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has handed over Serbia’s only facility housing asylum-seekers to the Government, marking the final step in the transfer of responsibility from the agency, which was the sole body dealing with this group for over 30 years.

Germany files suit against Italy in UN World Court on war reparations claims

24 December 2008
Germany has filed a complaint against Italy at the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) over Italian judgments awarding damages to victims of Nazi war crimes on the grounds that it has already paid reparations under international treaties with Italy.
Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer

Cypriot leaders renew pledge to reach settlement as latest UN-led talks wrap up

22 December 2008
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders reaffirmed their commitment today to United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island and pledged to reach a settlement as soon as possible.
Special Envoy for Georgia, Johan Verbeke

Talks on Russian-Georgian conflict now ‘fully on track,’ UN envoy reports

18 December 2008
International talks on the Russian-Georgian conflict in South Ossetia have now entered issues of substance, with in-depth political discussions focusing on a mechanism to help prevent and resolve incidents as they arise, a senior United Nations envoy said today.
Slovakia’s Foreign Minister, Ján Kubiš

Slovak foreign minister named to head UN’s economic commission for Europe

18 December 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Slovakia’s Foreign Minister, Ján Kubiš, as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which promotes dialogue and cooperation among 56 nations on a range of issues, including economic integration, energy, environment and trade.
Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer

Cypriot leaders take on-going UN-backed peace process forward

16 December 2008
The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders continued United Nations-sponsored talks on the reunification of the Mediterranean island today, pledging to meet again before the year’s end to examine issues concerning state and federal law.
UNFICYP on patrol

Cyprus: Security Council extends mandate of UN peacekeeping mission

12 December 2008
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) by six months, welcoming September’s historic launch of talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
Secretary-General addresses UN Climate Change Conference

Secretary-General calls for ‘Green New Deal’ at UN climate change talks

11 December 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for renewed global solidarity to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and the financial crisis, telling ministers gathered at a United Nations conference in Poland that the world cannot afford to let economic woes hinder progress on “the defining challenge of our era.”

Greater integration of HIV-infected in Eastern Europe, ex-Soviet states crucial – UN

10 December 2008
Discrimination and the social exclusion of people living with HIV are undermining efforts to respond to AIDS in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), one of the few areas in the world where incidence continues to rise, according to a United Nations report released today.