U.N.-AU talks call for future cooperation

UNITED NATIONS, May 29 (UPI) -- Following a weeklong official visit to Africa, the U.N. Security Council has called for strengthening ties with the African Union to counter ongoing threats.

The Security Council delegation visited several regions in Africa including Rwanda, Congo and Liberia. The delegation also held talks in Ethiopia with top officials as part of an ongoing move to enhance cooperation with the AU, the United Nations reported.

The Africa visit follows similar talks between the AU and the Security Council in 2007 and 2008. U.N. Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda of Uganda said following the talks that effective peacekeeping and stronger efforts to counter threats will come from strengthening U.N.-AU cooperation.

The "meetings between the two bodies are useful in strengthening cooperation, particularly in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacekeeping and peace-building, including the promotion of human rights, democracy, and rule of law and constitutional order in Africa," Rugunda said in a statement.