Abidjan, 19 February 2014...A visiting UN delegation led by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmund Mulet has been holding discussions with Ivorian authorities and political actors on the current situation in Cote d'Ivoire.



On Tuesday 18 February 2014, Mr. Mulet met with the Ivorian Minister-delegate for Defense, Paul Koffi Koffi to discuss UN support for the different crisis resolution processes currently going on in Cote d'Ivoire.



He remarked that significant progress has been made so far. "Each time I visit Cote d'Ivoire, I notice with much satisfaction that the country is on a sound footing and taking the right direction. The country is in peace, security has been restored, national dialogue is underway, same as the national reconciliation process," Mr. Mulet estimated. He however noted that there were still challenges ahead including the election of October 2015.



"United Nations Missions must also adapt and evolve in accordance with developments in the country and we discussed with the Defense Minister ways in which the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and the UN System can continue to support the security process and the stabilization of Cote d'Ivoire," Mr. Mulet said.



"In order not to endanger what has been achieved, we will continue to ensure a significant presence in Cote d'Ivoire; after 2015, we shall see how things evolve but between now and then, we shall maintain a presence and continue to lend support to the country," the Assistant Secretary-General told the press.