General Assembly President and Turkish official discuss Security Council reform
23 July 2008 - Security Council reform topped the agenda during talks between General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim and Turkish
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, held in New York yesterday.
Mr. Kerim briefed Mr. Babacan on the current state of his consultations on the Council reform process, according to a
statement released by the President's spokesperson after the meeting, which followed an earlier discussion between the
two men in Turkey in early May.
Mr. Babacan said Council reform must be part of overall institutional reform of the UN, adding that Turkey wants to be
an active and flexible contributor to this process.
The statement noted that Mr. Kerim and Mr. Babacan agreed that the UN needs to become more effective and influential to
deal with traditional threats to peace and security and emerging challenges such as the food and energy crises caused by
soaring prices.
Mr. Babacan also briefed Mr. Kerim on Turkey's regional diplomatic initiatives and the two men discussed the work of the
Alliance of Civilizations.
ENDS