French President Jacques Chirac Friday called for strengthening multilateralism andthe ratification of the International Criminal Court in The Hague,Netherlands.

The United States is not among the 90 countries that have ratified their adherence to the court.

Addressing the third summit of the European Union, Latin American and Caribbean countries opening here, Chirac warned that the multilateral system must be legitimized.

"On the UN Security Council, its enlargement is imposed in bothcategories of members," he said, referring to calls from leaders of countries from both sides of the Atlantic for a strengthened United Nations and an enlarged Security Council.

"In economic and social affairs we need an intergovernmental forum capable of politically promoting the whole of the multilateral system and improve its coherence," Chirac said.

He said that growing interdependence and international scourgescould only be controlled with measures of a general character.

"This implies that the fundamental rules and essential solidarity are confirmed and launched worldwide. This is the role of the UN and of the organizations with universal character, whichvoice the unity of the world."

The French leader also urged more efficient documents on the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and stronger mechanisms against terror and environmental damage.

Source: Xinhua