Annan vraagt Amerika en EU te waken over wereldwijde veiligheid (en)

The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has called on the US and the EU to do more for the world's long-term collective security.

Speaking at a security conference in Munich on Sunday (13 February), the UN chief praised co-operation between American and European allies in post-war Iraq, but suggested that they should "do something more this year: to think ahead, and to help plant the seeds of long term collective security".

The request was related to Mr Annan's own blueprint for "the most far-reaching reform of the international security system since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945".

The changes should match a transformed security environment in the world and make the UN more capable in tackling new global threats. Mr Annan suggested that given the cross-border and instant character of the current dangers, the participating states should realise their mutual vulnerability.

"So, in this era of interdependence, let us banish from our minds the thought that some threats affect only some of us. We all share a responsibility for each other's security, and we must work together to build a safer world. Indeed, in strengthening the security of others, we protect the security of our own".

New UN strategy against terrorism

The UN chief proposed action in strengthening world collective defences - mainly in relation to nuclear proliferation, where the plan is to introduce tougher inspection rules and other concrete steps on disarmament.

He is also set to present a new UN strategy against terrorism, including a proposal to set up a trust fund for member states to meet their anti-terrorism obligations and a new globally accepted definition of terrorism.

Mr Annan is planning to introduce the strategy in March in Madrid, a year after the deadly terrorist attacks in the city.

The UN reforms will also include proposals for new collective tools to "win peace" in post-conflict areas and improve the body's capability of peacekeeping.

A serious situation in Sudan was singled out as on the highest alert for the international community.

"Those organizations with real capacity - and NATO as well as the EU are well represented in this room - must give serious consideration to what - in practical terms - they can do to help end this tragedy", said Mr Annan.

The annual security conference in Munich was dominated by the relationship between the United States and Europe, with a focus upon future links between NATO and the EU's developing security capability.