Eng/French/Nat U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan has welcomed the latest political efforts for a peaceful solution of the Kosovo crisis as he was attending The Annual World Economic Forum of business and government leaders in Switzerland. Swiss President Ruth Dreifus also met U-S Vice-president Al Gore in Davos. They reviewed a range of issues including the problems over dormant bank accounts thought to be opened by Jews before World War Two. Top on Saturday's agenda at the World Economic Forum is likely to be concerns over how to pull Russia and Asia out of their economic crises. U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan used yet another chance to support the peaceful solution to the Kosovo crisis. He was speaking in Davos, where he attended the World Economic Forum of business and world leaders. SOUNDBITE (English) "Now, on Kosovo. Let me say that I support the efforts being made by the Contact group and by the O-S-C-E and I hope that parties were listening, and that the collective pressure that is being brought by the international community will bear fruits. It is the only political and peaceful solution that in the long term would be valuable. Not the military route" SUPERCAPTION: Kofi Annan, U-N Secretary General Meanwhile, the U-S Vice President Al Gore and Swiss President Ruth Dreifus met to discuss another issue. Dreifus said her government would work more closely with the United States on dormant bank accounts thought to be opened by Jews during the years leading up to World War Two. SOUNDBITE: (French) "Regarding the money in the accounts, we have noticed that some citizens on the other side of the Atlantic as well as here in Switzerland can have money in another country. We have noted that we have cultural differences as well as differences in our legal system, which have led to misunderstandings." SUPERCAPTION: Ruth Dreifus, Swiss President Gore praised Dreifus and the Swiss, saying it was courageous of them to be able to face such a difficult issue from the past. SOUNDBITE (English) "We have covered the comprehensive efforts Switzerland has undertaken to address the past. And I'm very pleased that the Swiss are continuing to work through their historians and in other ways to face their past. And on the basis of Switzerland's ongoing efforts and on the basis of my discussion with the President and Foreign Minister, I am pleased to announce a new strengthening of our relationship including the establishment of a new bilateral economic commission. The future of our world, a world that is increasingly integrated through the globalisation process, will be profoundly affected by the kind of courage that is being demonstrated here in confronting the past and charting a course towards the future that includes a new and much closer relationship of cooperation between the United States and Switzerland. It has been a privilege to participate in this historical turning point and I am very grateful to you President Dreifus for your friendship and courtesy." SUPERCAPTION: Al Gore, US Vice-president The forum brings together about 1-thousand 600 officials and corporate executives. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/bf70db9d972445c18576d9e6ab59b918 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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