Today, the Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council and H.E. Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, on the margin of the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia.

They exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine as well as the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.

The Secretary-General stressed the need for a political rather than military solution for the on-going situation in Ukraine. The crisis, the Secretary-General said, has an impact far beyond the region.

The Secretary-General thanked the European Union for its help in containing the spread of the Ebola virus and its support for the most affected countries. He specifically expressed his gratitude for the European Union’s backing of medical evacuation of first responders.

During the meeting, they also discussed climate change and the European Union recent and welcome decision to further limit greenhouse emissions. The Secretary-General underscored the leadership of the European Union on this issue and encouraged the EU to generously support the Green Climate Fund.