Lavrov discusses UN reforms with Guterres

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday its head Sergey Lavrov discussed issues related to the reform of the UN with its Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In the meeting that took place on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York late on Thursday, Lavrov stressed any transformation must be carefully calibrated.

The Russian top diplomat also highlighted the importance of preserving the institutional foundations of the UN and ensuring a clear division of labor among its principal bodies, all while remaining firmly under the oversight of member states and commanding their broadest possible support.

"A substantive discussion took place on the most pressing international challenges, including the situation surrounding Ukraine and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone," the ministry said.

Lavrov underscored the imperative for the UN Secretariat’s leadership and staff to maintain impartiality and disengagement from any external actors.

According to the ministry, both sides reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to further strengthening constructive cooperation between Russia and the UN.

"The Russian side emphasized its commitment to the central coordinating role of the World Organization in global affairs, as well as to the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety, indivisibility, and interconnectedness," it said.