Chairwoman Heidi Hautala met the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay on 13.10.2009 to welcome the opening of the first United Nations regional Office of the High Commissioner in Europe, in Brussels, Belgium. Ms. Hautala underlined that the opening of the office will be a vital addition to the European human rights field and expressed strong wish to cooperate closely with Ms. Pillay´s office. It was agreed to make efforts especially to ensure institutional coordination. Ms Pillay encouraged the EP to continue to follow the developments in the HRC.