VietNamNet Bridge – A regional conference on ASEAN countries’ participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations was co-organised by the foreign ministries of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea in Hanoi on July 3.

The inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam peacekeeping centre on May 27 (Photo: VNA)

The event brought together researchers, scholars from ASEAN member countries and the RoK, and representatives from the Hanoi-based embassies of ASEAN nations and partners.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations showed the consistent policy of supporting and standing ready to contribute to protecting peace in the region and the world by Vietnam as a responsible member of the UN and the international community.

The involvement is aimed to realise Vietnam’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations as well as the Party’s guidelines on international integration, Ngoc said, adding that it will help raise the country’s position and say in solving international issues.

Taking part in UN peacekeeping activities is a new area for Vietnam though it has prepared for the work, including a national legal framework, since 2005.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with other ministries and sectors in drafting a National Assembly resolution on Vietnam’s involvement in UN peacekeeping activities.

Focusing on national legal framework and experience and implications for Vietnam, participants heard practices from ASEAN countries and the RoK, which are expected to help Vietnamese agencies and researchers to make the draft NA resolution.

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