RUSSIA HOPES FOR EU RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN BALTIC STATES

MOSCOW, April 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia believes that the European Union will feel its responsibility for the accomplishment of the UN task to guarantee human rights, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko said on Wednesday commenting on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's decision to appoint Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga his special envoy for the 2005 Summit preparations.

There are two EU representatives among the special envoys, Yakovenko noted. "We hope the EU will feel help the 2005 Summit work out responsible decisions on promotion of international cooperation in all spheres, particularly, the accomplishment of the UN Secretary General's task to guarantee overall observation of human rights," the official spokesman stressed.

According to him, the decision to appoint special envoys was made on Annan's personal initiative following his report "In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All."

This report should form a basis for preparations for the UN summit which will be held in New York in September. It is timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations foundation.

Ex-presidents of Mexico and Mozambique Ernesto Zedillo and Joaquin Chissano, Ireland's Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas were appointed September summit envoys in additional to Vaira Vike-Freiberga.