MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN General Assembly president Srgjan Kerim visits Argentina

Vice Presidente Julio Cobos receive UN President Srgjan Kerim at the Congress

United Nations General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim yesterday met with Vice-President Julio Cobos and Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana as part of an official three-day visit to Argentina, which is part of a wider tour in South America.

"Kerim's visit is further proof of Argentina's commitment with the UN and with the multilateral system, and also it takes place within the framework of the preparations for the next UN General Assembly, slated for September," said Taiana, who hosted a lunch to welcome Kerim at the Foreign Ministry's San Martín Palace. "Argentina is a reliable ally," said Kerim after meeting Taiana. The minister said that several topics were discussed during the meeting, "such as the process for the reform of the UN and other issues of special interest to Argentina, like our participation in (the peace-keeping mission) in Haiti, helping to strengthen democracy, and our peace contingent in Cyprus and in other places." The minister said other issues like global warming, the UN's Millenium Development Goals (which include the reduction of poverty) and the programmes the organization is carrying out in Argentina were also mentioned. "Of course, we also expressed our interest in dialogue being resumed with the United Kingdom regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland - Malvinas islands," he added. "Argentina belongs to the group of countries of the UN that are very active and visible," said Kerim, and added: "Argentina helped install and carry out the UN's agenda and its priority issues." Kerim, who is scheduled to leave the country today, also met with Cobos and senators at the Senate. Argentine ambassador before the UN Jorge Argüello was also present. "The meetings with Taiana and with the senators were really important and they showed clearly that there's a great level of identification with Argentina on key issues, like climatic change, international security and aid for developing countries," said Kerim, who is expected to head to Chile and Brazil in the following days. Kerim, from Macedonia, had met with Taiana last June 11 in New York, when the head of the 62nd General Assembly expressed his will to visit Argentina. (BAH)