Europe

Gjorge Ivanov, President of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia speaks out on name issue at UN debate

25 September 2009
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia reiterated today that it will continue to work within the United Nations-backed process for resolving its long-running dispute with Greece over its official name, but called on its neighbour to stop taking actions “to unfavourably influence the outcome” of the row.

Secretary-General heads to Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland next week

25 September 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart next week on a three-nation tour that will take the United Nations chief to Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland, his spokesperson announced today.
Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia

At UN, Serbian leader places faith in legal solution to Kosovo issue

25 September 2009
Instead of resorting to violence, Serbia is seeking a legal opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence last year, the country’s leader told the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate today.
Dimitris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus

Reunification must be achieved by Cypriots themselves, President tells UN debate

24 September 2009
The unification of Cyprus must be brought about by Cypriots themselves, President Demetris Christofias told the General Assembly today, adding the despite progress in negotiations, serious obstacles remain towards finding a final solution for the Mediterranean island.
President Hans-Rudolf Merz of Switzerland

Swiss leader stresses importance of UN amid rising influence of G-20

24 September 2009
Switzerland today called for the United Nations to play a greater role in discussing the biggest global issues such as the recent financial crisis, warning that the bloc of major economies known as the Group of Twenty (G20) lacked legitimacy as a forum and did not consult enough with non-members.
Zeljko Komsic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

European nations highlight need for Security Council reform

24 September 2009
The leaders of European nations today stressed the need for a more representative Security Council, calling for urgent reform of the 15-member body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia

Georgia, addressing UN debate, speaks out against ‘new dividing line’

24 September 2009
Georgia is “a nation with a deep wound running through her” since fighting broke out last year with South Ossetian and Abkhaz separatists and their Russian allies, its President told the General Assembly tonight, vowing that he and his people will never accept “a new dividing line in our country.”
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden

Financing vital for poor nations to combat climate change, European Union tells UN

23 September 2009
Developed countries have a responsibility to help poorer nations in their fight against climate change, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told the General Assembly’s high-level debate in New York today, underscoring the need for heightened action against global warming.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France

Time running out to reform global governance, French leader warns at UN

23 September 2009
French President Nicolas Sarkozy issued a warning at the General Assembly today that time is running out to reform global governance for politics, economics and the environment to address crises on multiple fronts.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

UK leader, addressing UN debate, calls for ‘grand’ global nuclear bargain

23 September 2009
United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown today proposed a “grand global bargain” between nations that have nuclear weapons and nations that do not, telling the General Assembly that the world was facing a renewed threat of proliferation.