ACTIVITIES OF SECRETARY-GENERAL IN FRANCE, 16-18 DECEMBER
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Paris on Sunday, 16 December.
He began the day on Monday with a working breakfast with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Song Min-soon. He then took part in the Donors’ Meeting to Support the Palestinian Authority, where he delivered remarks, saying the world must move quickly now, because the [Israeli-Palestinian] peace process can succeed only if we overcome the gap between diplomatic efforts and the situation on the ground. (See Press release SG/SM/11338)
During a recess, the Secretary-General paid an official visit to French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Champs-Elysées Palace. They discussed issues of mutual interest.
In the afternoon, as the Donors’ Conference closed, the Secretary-General, in a second address to the delegates, pledged that the United Nations will do its part over the next 36 months to assist the Palestinian Authority to implement its programme, adding that Robert Serry, his new Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, will lead the United Nations efforts in this respect. (See Press Release SG/SM/11339)
Following the Donors’ Conference, the Secretary-General met with the other principal members of the Middle East Quartet, which brings together the United Nations, the United States, the Russian Federation and the European Union. The Quartet issued a statement after its meeting. (See Press Release SG/2134)
Later, under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, he met with representatives of Egypt, France, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, the presidency of the European Union, the European Commission and the High Representative/Secretary-General of the European Council. They discussed Lebanon and issued a joint statement. (See Press Release SG/2135)
He ended the day by participating in a dinner with the other Quartet members and with representatives of the League of Arab States.
The Secretary-General departed on Tuesday, 18 December, to Algiers to meet with families of the victims of the bombing that killed 17 United Nations staff members the previous week.