Timothy Kirkhope MEP Meets with Kofi Annan to Urge Reform of the United Nations
Friday, 10 November 2006
The Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, and the Conservative Vice-President of the European Parliament, Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, met UN chief Kofi Annan in New York to discuss the reform of the United Nations.
They were among a small group of Euro-MPs at the meeting to review Annan's reform programme, initiated after the Food for Oil scandal, and including new peacebuilding, democracy and human rights programmes. Mr Kirkhope is leading the reform agenda in the European Parliament and Mr McMillan-Scott is leading the EU's £100 million Democracy and Human Rights Initiative.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"Just as I attach a high level of importance to reforming the European Parliament and other institutions, I welcome the decision of the United Nations under its retiring Secretary General to bring about reform in that organisation and to make it fit for the challenges and duties it will undertake with our support in the 21st century.
"I was heartened by the enthusiasm for reform which Kofi Annan shared with me."
Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, who is reviewing the EU's democracy and human rights activities and has recently visited China, Cuba and Russia, said:
"The UN has a reputation for bureaucracy but in its democracy and human rights programme it is well ahead of the European Commission."
ENDS
