SOCHI, May 17 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet on Friday with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the role of the United Nations in the settlement of pressing international and regional problems, including the settlement of the Syrian crisis, the Middle East settlement, the situation in Afghanistan and on the Korean peninsula, the situation around Iran’s nuclear program as well as UN’s coordinating role in fight against terrorism and drug threat, the Kremlin press service reports.
The UN secretary general, who is in Russia for a visit, is also scheduled for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. When discussing the Syrian crisis, they are expected to pay special attention to preparations for an international conference on Syria, sources from the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Participants in the talks will also consider the settlement of the conflict in Mali, developments around Kosovo, the situation in Central Asia, in Transcaucasia and the Cyprus settlement.
“An extensive exchange of opinions is scheduled on issues concerning social and economic aspects of the UN activity at the present stage,” the Foreign Ministry said. In particular, they will analyze work within the framework of the United Nations to form the global development agenda post-2015 and its sustainable development goals.
“Special attention will be paid to future cooperation with the UN during Russia’s G20 presidency,” the ministry informed. “Russia consistently seeks the strengthening of UN’s central role in international affairs. It considers the UN as a key mechanism for developing coordinated approaches of the global community in response to global challenges and threats,” the Kremlin press service said.
“Russia actively supports the peacekeeping activity of the United Nations,” it stressed. “At the present time 103 Russian peacekeepers participate in eight of 15 missions of the organization. Russia’s contribution to the budget of UN peacekeeping operations made up 110.4 million dollars in 2012, which is two percent of the total budget amounting to 7.33 billion dollars,” it said, adding that in 2013-2015 Russia’s contribution will grow to 3.14 percent.
Moscow makes “a substantial contribution to aviation services during UN operations - 47 percent of all commercial contracts. Forty-five Russian carriers are on the list of official suppliers of the United Nations. Besides, Russia actively participates in the training of specialists from foreign states for UN missions, the Kremlin press service said.
On May 19, the UN secretary general will visit the international training centre in Domodedovo outside Moscow, where peacekeepers are trained. Up to 80 specialists are trained on its basis yearly (360 foreign policemen starting from 2003). A total of 300 staffers from law enforcement agencies in African countries every year undergo short advanced courses at educational establishments of the Russian Interior Ministry.