Date of release : 13-06-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

At the conclusion of the second working meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, held on 13 June in Luxembourg, current EU Council President, Jean Asselborn, stated that "the reform of the United Nations has now entered a decisive phase. The European Union broadly supports the concepts and proposals in Kofi Annan’s report, and these concepts and proposals are included in the draft proposals from the President of the General Assembly, Jean Ping, and will be submitted to the Heads of State and Government at the September Summit. Over the past few weeks, we have had numerous contacts with third countries in order to contribute to the drafting of joint responses to the major issues of development, security and human rights. At this crucial stage in the process, we must continue our efforts to arrive at an ambitious and balanced result."