Page 374 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

basis of correct and accurate legal standards and at the same time to be guided

in the decision making by generally accepted human values. The political
know-how of Geneva makes it attractive for high-level visits. In 1998, 15 Heads
of State, 2 Vice-Presidents, 11 Prime Ministers and 73 Ministers visited
Geneva. This year, UN Headquarters here has already been visited by the
Presidents of China, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Armenia and the Vice-Presidents
of Colombia and Burundi.

As the largest UN Office in Europe, UNOG is well positioned to maintain
cooperation with regional entities and structures. The first major step in this
direction was taken in 1993 when UNOG suggested to the Council of Europe
and to the Conference or Security and Cooperation in Europe (now the
OSCE) that periodic meetings be held between institutions of the three organ-
izations to improve coordination, cooperation and exchange of information on
issues of mutual concern, particularly in conflict areas where diverse organiza-
tions with different mandates had a presence in the field. Since then, this
"informal process of tripartite consultations" has evolved into a useful mecha-
nism which fosters new channels of communication and helps to bridge
differences in institutional cultures. From Geneva, nine UN entities, as well as
the ICRC and IOM, participate in these meetings. Seven "high-level" gather-
ings of Heads of Organizations have thus far taken place, most recently at the
Palais des Nations in January 1998.

A dialogue is also taking place between UNOG and other regional organi-
zations such as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization
of African Unity and the League of Arab States. As a result of the creation of a
number of new regional and sub-regional structures, particularly in countries
with economies in transition UNOG has established cooperation with the
Commonwealth of Independent States and the Organization of Black Sea Eco-
nomic Cooperation. In June I will take part in the Baltic Sea Foreign Ministers'
Meeting.

Following the signing in 1996 of a cooperation agreement between the UN
Secretary-General and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Council,
UNOG has deepened its ties with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the
Secretariat of which is based in Geneva. Last week, I had the pleasure of
participating in the 101st IPU Conference in Brussels. It was agreed to bring
parliamentarians to Geneva on a regular basis to familiarize them with the work
of the United Nations.

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