Europe

FYR of Macedonia: refugee flows reflect peace uncertainties, UNHCR says

17 July 2001
Reflecting continuing uncertainty over peace prospects, some 300 people have returned to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from Kosovo while close to 200 left the country for the province, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

UN environment agency welcomes G-8 task force report on renewable energy

17 July 2001
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has welcomed the strong push for renewable energy made in a recent report which will be presented to heads of State and Government at the "Group of Eight" summit later this week.

UN mission in Kosovo helps Serbian convoy to deliver aid

16 July 2001
Despite a lack of timely notification, the United Nations mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo international force have helped a large Serbian convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to various Serbian enclaves, a UN official in Pristina reported today.

Secretary-General concludes official visit to Germany, heads next to Geneva

13 July 2001
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today concluded his official visit to Germany, collecting a pledge from Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder for $131 million to the Global AIDS and Health Fund.

In Berlin, Annan discusses regional hotspots with German Foreign Minister

12 July 2001
The situations in the Balkans and the Middle East was high on the agenda during talks in Berlin today between United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.

UNHCR concerned at border rejection of returnees to FYR of Macedonia

12 July 2001
The United Nations refugee agency today expressed "increasing concern" at the continuing rejection by border officials of people returning without valid passports from Kosovo to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

16-year-old Bosnian girl killed by gunfire in Srebrenica, UN mission says

12 July 2001
A 16-year-old Bosniac girl was killed when shots were fired into a house near Srebrenica, the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) reported today.

Security Council extends UN mission in Prevlaka peninsula for six months

11 July 2001
The Security Council today authorized United Nations military observers to continue monitoring the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula - a strategic area disputed by Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - until 15 January 2002.

Peaceful manner of Srebrenica observances applauded by UN mission

11 July 2001
Following ceremonies to mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic massacre of civilians in Srebrenica, the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) today expressed its "deep satisfaction" with the peaceful and respectful manner in which the observances were conducted.

Despite rumours, UN agency sees no big rise in crossings from Chechnya to Ingushetia

10 July 2001
Ingushetia-based staff from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have seen no significant increase in the number of people arriving in recent days from Chechnya, the Russian Federation, despite rumours of large numbers of people on the move.