NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO FINLAND, ROMANIA AND GREECE

United Nations, New York, 14 June 2018 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, will visit Finland from 17 to 18 June, Romania on 19 June, and Greece from 21 to 22 June.

In Finland, the President will participate in a panel on the future of multilateralism and the role of the United Nations, as part of the Kultaranta Talks, a foreign and security policy debate hosted by H.E. Mr. Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland.

While in Finland, he will meet with Finnish officials, including: President Niinistö; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Timo Soini; the Minister of the Interior, H.E. Mr. Kai Mykkänen; the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, H.E. Ms. Anne-Mari Virolainen; the Speaker of Parliament, H.E. Ms. Paula Risikko; and Chairperson of the Parliament Group for Global Issues, H.E. Ms. Satu Hassi.

He will also meet with the former Prime Minister of Sweden and member of his Team of External Advisers, H.E. Mr Carl Bildt; and two former Presidents of Finland, H.E. Mr. Martti Ahtisaari and H.E. Ms.Tarja Halonen.

In Helsinki, President Lajčák will also visit a reception center for migrants and the Crisis Management Initiative, a Finish non-governmental organization that works to prevent and resolve conflict through dialogue and mediation.

In Bucharest, Romania, President Lajčák will be awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration of Romania.

He will also meet with Romanian officials, including the President, H.E. Mr. Klaus Werner Iohannis; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Teodor Meleșcanu; the Foreign Policy Adviser to the President, H.E. Mr. Bogdan Aurescu; and the Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs, H.E. Mr. Dan Neculăescu.

In Rhodes, Greece, President Lajčák will attend and address the opening of the third Rhodes Conference for Security and Stability, entitled: “The spirit of Rhodes: Shaping a positive agenda for stability and prosperity”.

The President will travel to Finland with his Special Assistant and Political Coordinator, Ms. Lenka Miháliková; his Senior Adviser, Ms. Elina Lemetty-Hartoneva; and his Communications Adviser, Ms. Katharina Kandt.

In Romania and Greece, the President will be accompanied by Ms. Miháliková, Ms. Kandt, and his Adviser, Ms. Inga Kanchavelli.

Travel costs will be covered by the Trust Fund of the Office of the President, with some support being provided by the Governments of Finland, Romania, Greece and Slovakia.

The President will be back in the office on 25 June.

***

For media inquiries, please contact

Katharina Kandt, Communications Adviser to the President of the General Assembly, +1 917 244 3890, kandt@un.org.