UN Head Looks to Moscow For Funds
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday expressed hope that Russia would increase its annual contributions to the global body and threw his weight behind Moscow’s ambitions to host a Middle East peace conference.
Ban expressed hope that Russia would increase its UN contributions in line with its growing economic might, while appearing with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a news conference to crown his jam-packed schedule Thursday.
“Russia is one of the largest contributors in terms of financial contributions and also peacekeeping operations. But with increased development in the economy, as well as a political high profile, I hope that Russia can do more,” he said.
Ban added that he had discussed the possibility of increasing contributions with President Vladimir Putin and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, on Wednesday.
Lavrov did not say whether Moscow had any plans to boost the fees it paid, but Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko said earlier Thursday that Russia would increase its contributions in line with its growing economic potential.
Russia plans to double the amount it donates for international assistance to about $500 million in the next few years, up from the current $211 million, Yakovenko said.
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Friday, April 11th, 2008 at 10:01 am under