Europe

UNOMIG's Tbilisi Headquarters, Georgia

Ban: UN’s Georgia mission contributing to stability, security

20 May 2009
The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has contributed to the overall security of the local population, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, while cautioning that an agreement on a revised security regime is needed for lasting stability.
The Ledra Street crossing point in Cyprus gets checked for unexploded ordnance

Lauding progress to date, Ban advocates accelerating pace of Cyprus talks

20 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to accelerate the momentum in their United Nations-backed reunification talks, while lauding the progress made so far.
A boat carrying asylum seekers and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
UNHCR/L.Boldrini

Top UN refugee official calls for meeting on Mediterranean irregular migration

20 May 2009
The top United Nations refugee official, António Guterres, has urged the European Commission (EC) to convene a gathering bringing together Italy, Malta, Libya, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and others to create a joint response to irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea.

Secretary-General travels to Denmark and Finland next week

18 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is set to visit Denmark next week, followed by his first official visit to Finland, a spokesperson for the United Nations announced today.
António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UN agency regrets lack of transparency in Italy's return of boat people to Libya

7 May 2009
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today voiced concern after Italy sent some 230 people it rescued yesterday off the waters of Malta back to Libya before a proper assessment of their possible protection needs were carried out.
UN Special Rapporteur, Asma Jahangir

UN rights expert urges reform of religious registration law in Serbia

5 May 2009
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on the Serbian Government to reform legislation restricting the freedom of religion in the Balkan State, while finding signs of encouragement in its multi-ethnic enclaves.
UN Special Rapporteur, Asma Jahangir

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: UN expert speaks out on religious intolerance

30 April 2009
An independent United Nations human rights expert today spoke out against reports of religious intolerance in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and expressed disbelief at the backlash targeted against a recent court decision to restrict religious teaching in public schools.
The Ledra Street crossing point in Cyprus gets checked for unexploded ordnance

Security Council urges Cypriot leaders to step up UN-backed reunification talks

30 April 2009
The Security Council today urged the political leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to accelerate momentum gained in United Nations-backed talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.

UN cultural agency to host first-ever open house, in European museum fete

29 April 2009
The Fall of Icarus by Pablo Picasso and Isamu Noguchi’s Peace Fountain can be viewed in Paris on 16 May, when the United Nations cultural agency opens its doors to the public for the first time ever.

Short life expectancy, low birth rates in Russia cause for worry, says UNDP

28 April 2009
Demographic challenges – including short life expectancy and a shrinking population – must be faced to maintain Russia’s economic and social security, warns a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).