Abidjan, 16 April 2012... The United Nations' Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, on Monday, 16 April 2012, met with the Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Kablan Duncan.

Speaking at the end of the discussion, Mr. Ladsous, who arrived in Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday, 15 April 2012, explained to the press that his visit was part of the United Nations continued assistance to the Ivorian authorities during the current process.

"We are pleased to see that Côte d'Ivoire has renewed peace and it is on the path to growth and progress," said the Under Secretary-General.

Mr. Ladsous also said that he and Mr. Duncan had discussed the different ongoing crises in West Africa, especially those in Mali and Guinea Bissau. He also said that the United Nations was ready to co-operate with the Ivorian Government on different issues.

After visiting the UN Mission in Liberia, Mr. Ladsous arrived in Côte d'Ivoire by road on Sunday and went to the western town of Toulepleu, and then to Daloa in the centre-west, before flying to Abidjan on Sunday evening.