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Chancellor Merkel Meets with Ban Ki-moon to Discuss Making the G8 Summit a Success

Berlin: Merkel with Ban Ki-moon
REGIERUNGonline © BPA

What can the G8 states do to help accelerate international processes and resolve problems? In the run-up to the G8 Summit, Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed a wide spectrum of subjects, from the Doha Round to the Middle East, with Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on May 30 in Berlin.

"The G8 is not a decision-making body, but we can pave the way for some things," Merkel said in Berlin. She reported that she had already built a very sound cooperative relationship with her guest from New York, and was delighted to have this opportunity to discuss matters in-depth with him, so shortly before the G8 Summit.

The Chancellor underlined the special role played by the UN Secretary-General in resolving international problems. "We have the highest respect and esteem for the role of the Secretary-General," Merkel stressed.

UN Secretary-General counting on the success of the G8 Summit

This is the Ban Ki-moon's second visit to Germany since taking office five months ago. He will also be attending several meetings of heads of state and government in Heiligendamm. "This is a reflection of how much we appreciate the contribution made by Germany to supporting the work of the United Nations," the Secretary-General said.

He thanked the Chancellor for her commitment to international topics in her capacity as acting President of the EU Council and of the G8 and wished the German Presidency all the best for the coming G8 Summit. "I am confident that we, as a global community, will see the G8 Summit as a major success," he declared.

In the evening the Secretary-General attended a meeting of the Middle East Quartet. The situation on the ground is extremely delicate, warned Ban Ki-moon. The meeting looked at how progress could be made with the peace process in the region. Ban encouraged the parties to the conflict to realise the vision of the two-state solution.

June 1, 2007

source: www.g-8.de

Link

Middle East Quartet Issues Statement After Meeting in Berlin (PDF)
(May 30, 2007)

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