In Vienna, Annan discusses global issues with senior Austrian officials

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner today in Vienna for talks on a number of issues, including non-proliferation, the situation in the Darfur region of western Sudan, Iran and Iraq.

Their discussions also touched on the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, which is currently meeting in Austria, according to a UN spokesman. The Secretary-General had appointed the 16-person blue-ribbon panel last November to look into new global security threats and reform of the international system, and to recommend clear and practical measures for ensuring effective collective action.

Mr. Annan's new Special Representative for Kosovo, Soren Jessen-Petersen, then joined the meeting for a review of the situation in that province.

Afterwards, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel gave the Secretary-General a tour of the newly-renovated Albertina Museum, and they held talks before Mr. Annan lunched with Mr. Jessen-Petersen to discuss the envoy's new assignment.

Also on the Secretary-General's programme were meetings with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who is visiting Vienna, and the new Austrian President, Heinz Fischer.