The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and H.E. Mr. Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council. They discussed the conflict in Syria, including the escalating humanitarian crisis, and the need for the international community to support the neighbouring countries.

They also discussed international peace efforts for Somalia, Cyprus, Mali and Guinea-Bissau.

The Secretary-General emphasized the need for a continuing push to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, and stressed the importance of building coalitions to achieve a forward-looking post-2015 agenda, including on climate change.