Brussels, 14/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 13 October, the European Parliament examined cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations (UN) in the area of post-crisis (natural disasters and conflicts). Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, stated at a joint meeting of foreign affairs and development committees that she was delighted that “the European Union has repeatedly stated its commitment to building an effective multilateralism with a strong United Nations at its core, and it has backed this commitment both politically and financially”. In 2008, EU member states provided around 40% of the assessed budget of the UN, over 40% of peacekeeping costs and 12% of troops, as well as more than half of all of the financing for UN funds and programmes. The European Commission channelled around 15 percent of its development and humanitarian aid through the UN during the three year period, explains a report presented on Tuesday and available at: (http://www.unbrussels.org/UN-EC_Partnership-Report_2009.pdf ). (A.B./transl.fl)