Human rights the focus during talks between Ban and Colombian leader

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and recently elected Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón held talks today at United Nations Headquarters in New York on human rights, regional relations and drug trafficking.

Mr. Ban applauded Mr. Santos, who became President only last month, on elements of his Government’s agenda, including human rights initiatives and his willingness to support the return of illegally seized land to the rightful owners.

Mr. Ban also welcomed positive developments in Colombia’s relations with its neighbours, according to information released by a spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

The two officials also discussed drug trafficking, biodiversity, climate change and economic development.

The UN chief also met today with Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the first female President of Costa Rica. They discussed human rights, development, climate change, drug trafficking, citizen security and the operations of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Hungarian President Pál Schmitt also held a tête-à-tête with Mr. Ban today on the sidelines of the General Assembly’s annual General Debate, with their discussions taking up the themes of youth education and the importance of sports for peace.

The two men also discussed relations between the UN and the European Union (EU) in light of Hungary’s presidency of the regional bloc in the first half of 2011.