BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON RUSSIANS TO TAKE GREATER UN ROLE

BAN KI-MOON CALLS ON RUSSIANS TO TAKE GREATER UN ROLE New York, Apr 10 2008 6:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Russians to expand their country's already substantial partnership with the United Nations in tackling the range of global challenges from peacekeeping to AIDS to climate change.

"I am convinced you can play a role even greater than you once did – a role commensurate with your tremendous size, wealth and global reach," he said in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sgsm11507.doc.htm">speech at Moscow State University, recalling Russian history in the midst of a day of meetings with business, political and religious leaders in the national capital.

Citing the words of the university's founding father, Mikhail Lomonosov, Mr. Ban said it was true that "love of one's country is a potent motivator. But as Lomonosov knew, and as we know today, a global outlook is a must – one that takes us beyond national frontiers."

Indeed, he said, after having met enormous challenges in the 20th Century, Russia is engaged globally in almost every sphere, from business to art and culture and beyond.

"This seemingly endless nation, part Europe, part Asia, covering 11 times zones from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, is establishing itself as an equal and independent player on the world political stage," the Secretary-General said.

"But the size and resources of your great country also bring with them great responsibilities – inside and outside your borders," he said, conveying the world's hopes that the country's relationship with its neighbours would be based on "mutual respect and international law," and that regional arrangements would be strengthened.

In that light, he said he applauded President Vladimir Putin's offer to grant NATO access to Afghanistan's northern borders through Russia as a vital partner of international efforts in the Asian country, as well as its role in the Middle East peace process and in UN peacekeeping missions.

But still, he said, he counted on the country to do more: "As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Russian Federation has an enormous stake in a predictable, comprehensive system of global relationships, able to address major issues in a strategic and pragmatic way," he said.

"The Russian principle of a multipolar world is close to the notion of multilateralism – the bedrock of the United Nations," he maintained.

Later this evening, Mr. Ban returned to this theme in a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He said that the two had discussed "many important issues of mutual concern," including the Middle East, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Darfur and Kosovo.

Asked, in addition, about the situation between Georgia and Abkhazia, Mr. Ban said that the UN will continue to facilitate the ongoing dialogue between the parties to reduce tension, and he hoped that the recommendations made by the international Group of Friends would be implemented.

Earlier today the Secretary-General also participated in the launch of a Russian network for the Global Compact, the UN initiative to promote social responsibility in private enterprise.
2008-04-10 00:00:00.000

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/