Secretary-General discuss hotspots and multilateralism with Finland's President

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the President of Finland have held talks on a number of the world's most troubled regions as well as the need for a concerted international approach to global problems.

During their meeting on Friday in Helsinki, Mr. Annan and Tarja Halonen discussed lessons to be drawn from the recent experience in Iraq, a UN spokesman said in a statement released in New York.

“They talked about the importance of multilateralism, the role the UN can play in Iraq and the need for the involvement of neighbouring countries,” the spokesman reported. “The President offered her support for the Secretary-General's efforts.”

Other topics of discussion included the Millennium Development Goals adopted at a UN summit meeting in 2000, as well as Liberia, disarmament and cooperation among regional organizations, according to the statement.