First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini meet with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

23.09.2019
New York

22 September, 2019

Today, First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York for their annual meeting as the European Union kicks off its activities at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, the European Union expressed its determination to further strengthen the strategic partnership with the UN in advancing and shaping the multilateral agenda. The European Union will continue being a leader in global cooperation, supporting and buttressing multilateralism and the global rules-based international order for a more sustainable, peaceful, secure and prosperous world, with the promotion of human rights at the core of this partnership. This is especially important in times of uncertainty as well as new challenges. Among them are the new technologies and artificial intelligence which the EU is addressing in different ways, including through the Global Tech Panel.

With the 75th anniversary of the United Nations in the horizon, the European Union stressed its commitment to work towards a United Nations that delivers for all, leaving no one behind. In this regard, the European Union stressed the importance it attaches to the sustainable financing of the UN and recalled how it leads by example in this regard. The European Union will continue to be at the forefront, supporting the implementation of the UN’s reforms.

The European Union further reiterated its strong determination to be a global trailblazer, increasing ambition for collective responses to global challenges. The UN Summits on Climate and Sustainable Development Goals underline the urgent need for a much stronger and urgent global response to climate change and sustainable development. The two Summits present a unique window of opportunity to take a more ambitious and accelerated action. The European Union will continue to demonstrate leadership in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda.

The European Union stressed its commitment to strengthen its role as a global peace and security provider. As a reliable partner to the United Nations, the European Union will continue contributing to regional and global peace and security, as well as to sustainable development and human rights. The European Union will remain a point of reference for global networks of partnerships in support of effective multilateralism.

The meeting was also an opportunity to exchange views on the latest developments in Africa, Syria, Libya, Middle East Peace Process, Venezuela as well as Gulf/Iran and JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). At the margins of 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the EU will host a number of side events, including its traditional side event on Syria and a Ministerial meeting of the International Contact Group on Venezuela.

Xavier Cifre Quatresols
Press Officer for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
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