Abidjan, 18 February 2014.... UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, Edmund Mulet ends a 4-day working visit to Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday 19 February 2014.



"I am heading a delegation from New York to discuss with the government about the functions and responsibilities of the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire and how we can continue to work together," Mr. Mulet said after meeting with the Ivorian Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Charles Koffi Diby. The Assistant Secretary-General was accompanied by the Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire, Mrs. Aichatou Mindaoudou.



Edmund Mulet highlighted progress made in Cote d'Ivoire and said there were still challenges to be overcome. "I think the situation has improved enormously. There is peace and stability; there is progress in many socio-economic areas. Naturally there are still challenges to be met," he indicated.



Regarding the forthcoming election, Mr. Mulet said "it was necessary to continue working to guarantee credible elections open to everyone," adding: "this is a responsibility that does not rely on government alone but on the socio-political actors of the country."



Earlier, the Assistant Secretary-General met with the Ivorian Senior Minister for Interior, Hamed Bakayoko and the leader of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, Pascal Affi Nguessan.



Mr. Mulet was also scheduled to meet with members of government, the diplomatic corps, civil society and international actors.