MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Russia & Argentina to co-operate in Security Council.

Russia and Argentina have agreed to co-operate within the framework of the United Nations Security Council, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov, the Russian news and information agency Novosti reported yesterday.

The deal was struck in talks in Buenos Aires.

Argentina will be a non-permanent member on the UN Security Council from January 1, 2005 to chair the body.

"We have a wealth of experience in co-operating [with Argentina] and we value the country's adherence to the principles of multilateralism, international law and bolstering the fundamental role of the UN in present-day international relations," the Russian diplomat said.

He added: "Argentina is gearing up very seriously for joining the UN Security Council in its work and is ready to contribute heavily to the resolution of conflicts in various corners of the world."

The parties to the negotiations in Buenos Aires have also reviewed the recommendations by the High-Level Group, the so-called Wise-Men Group, issued in its report, Fedotov said.

"The documents now set the main vector for the international community to consider issues of strengthening the UN role and authority to enhance the organization's efficiency in the new environment," he said, adding that "Russia and Argentina have agreed to maintain routine contacts in the course of trying to grasp and implement more than 100 recommendations in question."

"The recommendations cover all of the aspects and fields of the work being done by the United Nations," the Russian official said according to Novosti.