During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, Martin SCHULZ, EP President,&nbsp;expresses himself on the nomination of Antonio GUTERRES as new UN Secretary-General

statement

Strasbourg

EU - United Nations (T)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

GUTERRES, António (PT)

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the nomination of Antonio GUTERRES as new UN Secretary-General

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, We are happy that at the end, a European candidate achieved and won the confidence of 15 members of the Security Council and the 5 members with the permanent veto, agreed. This is a strong signal of confidence for the future Secretary general of the UN, Antonio GUTERRES, who is not only competent man and who showed this 10 years serving as High Commissioner for refugees, his deep engagement for the idea of united Nations but also his experience in managing very very difficult items to bring people from controversial positions together;

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, And we know him at the European Parliament for his time as Prime Minister of Portugal; And I want to honor also Portugal, his home country, which is providing from time to time Portuguese politicians for very important high ranking positions and as a friend of Portugal, I'm also very happy about that decision on Antonio Guterres who is a personal friend of mine since a very long time. I phoned him yesterday night and it was really phone call between friends and full with joy and support for that man who deserves really this confidence.