Read-out of the Secretary-General's meeting with H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

The Secretary-General and Mr Barroso discussed the objectives and potential outcome of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Istanbul. The Secretary-General thanked Mr. Barroso for the European Union's support for the conference.

During their meeting, they discussed recent developments in North Africa and the Middle East. They expressed concern about recent violence in Egypt and Tunisia.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Cyprus negotiations and on the Western Balkans, particularly concerns about political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.