Vietnam ready to send more men to UN peacekeeping missions: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held a reception for UN Under-Secretary-General Herve Ladsous in Hanoi on June 10, affirming that Vietnam is ready to send more officers to UN peacekeeping missions around the world.

Having experienced devastation and loss through wars, Vietnam always treasures peace and wishes to contribute to world stability, he stated.

As a member of the UN, Vietnam is aware of its responsibility to join the union’s peacekeeping operations and is working to realise its obligation, said the PM.

He suggested the UN continue supporting and assisting Vietnam in participating in the operations more effectively.

The Government leader also spoke highly of the role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, contributing to resolving disputes through peaceful measures, especially in the context of complicated security situations in the region and the world, including in the East Sea where there are now actions threatening peace, maritime and aviation stability safety and security.

For his part, Herve Ladsous said the UN lauds Vietnam’s efforts in peacekeeping operations by sending officers to UN missions in South Sudan and Central Africa .

The UN hopes to receive more Vietnamese officers to other missions, he said, expressing his hope that the country will continue supporting UN peacekeeping efforts.

He applauded Vietnam ’s proposal to launch a level 2 field hospital in 2015 and an engineering team at the end of 2016 to UN missions, and the signing of agreements with the UN on allocating military medical and engineering units to specific missions and sending men to work in peacekeeping bodies at UN headquarters.

As an experienced diplomat in the region, Ladsous is aware of the complications and seriousness of the East Sea situation and shares Vietnam’s approach to the settlement of the issue through peaceful measures in line with international law.

Meanwhile, at a peacekeeping forum held by the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre the same day, Ladsous has hailed Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, expressing his hope that the UN and Vietnam will further strengthen collaboration in the field.

The UN is willing to accept Vietnamese officers to the level 2 field hospital as well as Vietnamese sappers to UN missions as required,

He said UN peacekeeping activities are becoming more complicated, leading to higher personnel requirements for the work.

They are no longer limited to monitoring the implementation of a cease-fire or a peace agreement, but have been expanded to collaboration between military and civil forces to protect civilians as well as strengthening the capacity of security forces of nations and political institutions, he said.

Peacekeeping forces also support and enhance the capacity of governments, strengthen law enforcement, improve gender inequality and protect human rights, noted the UN official.

At the event, Ladsous and Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Head of the Defence Ministry’s Steering Committee for Peacekeeping, also reviewed the initial results of Vietnam ’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

They also clarified experiences with and content of preparation of logistics for peacekeeping forces, challenges and requirements, and UN support and commitment to Vietnam in the field.

Lieut. Gen. Tuan pledged that Vietnam is ready to send additional personnel to UN missions if requested, towards joining hands with the international community for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

Vietnam will also consider expanding the scale, areas and forms of participation in line with policies, capacities and conditions of the country, he said.

After one year of operation, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre has sent two officers to the UN mission in South Sudan and three officers to the Central Africa mission.

The centre has also trained officers for UN peacekeeping missions and sent more than 70 officials to training courses and conferences on peacekeeping operations abroad.

Military medical and engineering skill training has also been provided to forces participating in the UN level 2 field hospital and engineer team.

VNA