UN, British leaders meet on refugee crisis, peace

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, and the two discussed issues, among others, the refugee crisis in Europe and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The secretary-general set out the key role of the United Kingdom within the international community, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as through its steadfast commitment to meet the 0.7 per cent target for Official Development Assistance, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

Ban also expressed his gratitude for the United Kingdom's leadership on climate change, the spokesman said.

The meeting took place as world leaders are gathering at UN Headquarters in New York for the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, which is set to kick off here Tuesday.

During their talks, the secretary-general and the prime minister concurred on the need to find solutions that are in the interest of migrants and refugees as well as their countries of origin, transit and destination, he said.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general and the prime minister discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula at a moment of heightened tension, he said. "The secretary-general counted on the Security Council's united leadership to de-escalate tensions and prevent further provocative actions."

The secretary-general and the prime minister exchanged views on the ongoing talks in Cyprus, with both sharing their appreciation towards the commitment of the two leaders there to achieve a solution within 2016, Dujarric said. Endit