Van Rompuy to reiterate support at UN speech to democratic changes in Arab world

The President of the EU Council, Herman Van Rompuy, will address the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, said a statement released today by his office in Brussels. Van Rompuy will reiterate the EU's support to the democratic transitions following the Arab Spring, it noted. "Of course expectations have been running high. But we know well that achieving lasting change takes time. There will be wrong turns and setbacks, but I firmly believe that despite the difficulties, this journey is heading in the right direction," said Van Rompuy. He will also remind world leaders, faced with recent violent protests, of their responsibility in building tolerance and respect. He will also inform the international community about Europe's efforts to overcome the current difficulties in the eurozone. During his stay in New York, Van Rompuy will meet bilaterally with a number of other Heads of State and attend a summit on the situation in the Sahel region. This is the second time that the President of the EU Council represents the EU at the UN General Assembly. In May 2011, a UN resolution invited the EU to participate in the general debate of the General Assembly and established its right to present the positions of the 27-member European bloc at the UN.