International security, anti-terror efforts and the global economy will dominate talks between the United Nations secretary general and Russia’s foreign minister in Moscow on Friday.
Ban Ki-moon is meeting with Sergei Lavrov on the second day of his three-day visit to Russia, the fourth leg of his East European tour. He has already visited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Ukraine.
The UN chief said his visit came at a time of serious challenges, including nuclear safety, which he had discussed during his trip to Chernobyl in Ukraine, the site of the 1986 nuclear accident. The issue is particularly pertinent now that Japan is wrestling with the consequences of major meltdown at its quake-hit Fukushima reactors.
Ban said the situation in the restive Middle East and the crisis in Libya would also be highlighted at his meeting with Lavrov. He said he and the Russian foreign minister would negotiate how to join the UN’s and Russia’s efforts to boost international security and the economy.
The UN secretary general praised Russia’s contribution towards stabilizing the situation in the world.
Lavrov also said international security and the economy were crucial to the present-day agenda.
“We will certainly be ready to discuss our further cooperation in economic development, particularly in Europe and Eurasia,” he said, adding that Russia also sought to work with the UN to fight terrorism and organized crime.
Ban is expected to meet with President Dmitry Medvedev later on Friday.
MOSCOW, April 22 (RIA Novosti)