EU supports UN's efforts to improve rules-based order globally

BRUSSELS, June 23 (KUNA) -- The European Union Wednesday expressed support to UN efforts for reform of the world body and for strengthening rules-based order globally.
"The European Union and the European Commission always stand by your side. We support you in your tireless work to strengthen multilateralism and to improve the rules-based order, globally, or overcoming the pandemic," President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in press statements while welcoming Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations in Brussels today.
She congratulated Guterres on his appointment for a second mandate saying "I think the United Nations are very lucky and can be very grateful to have you at the helm of this big institution.
"The European Union and in particular, the Commission, has been a very strong supporter of the UN in all the dimensions of our work. And so, this is the moment to express my deep gratitude and appreciation," she expressed.
On his part, Guterres; who is from Portugal, said "if it is true that, today, I am leading a universal organization, I am a European.
"And as a European, I am particularly proud with the contribution that I can see, the most important contribution of Europe to global civilization. And that is, in my opinion, the Enlightenment," he said.
"And this is particularly important when we see the risks of moving into a kind of post-enlightenment era. And when we see the multiplication of different forms of irrationality, nationalism, populism, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred," he noted. (end) nk.hb