Viet Nam vows to contribute to maintaining global peace

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has stated that joining the United Nations peace-keeping force is a serious and long-term commitment of Viet Nam in a hope to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of peace in the world.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Ameerah Haq and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Meeting UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Ameerah Haq in Ha Noi on May 26, Deputy PM Minh informed his guest that two liaison officers of Viet Nam will start their operation as part of the UN Mission in South Sudan from June, 2014.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam is working hard to build a legal document in the field to create a legal framework for its participation in UN peace-keeping operations, he said.

The Deputy PM also expressed his delight at the progress in the multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and the UN, while affirming that the Vietnamese Government always treasures the agency's assistance in finance, technique and experience.

For her part, Haq spoke highly of Viet Nam's contributions to global issues pertaining to peace, security, cooperation and development, especially its commitment to actively taking part in UN peace-keeping activities.

She also lauded Viet Nam's establishment of a peace-keeping centre and sending its men to join the Sudan mission.

Haq also pledged that the UN will continue supporting Viet Nam in the work.

Defence ministry supported in UN peace-keeping mission

A senior official from the United Nations has asserted that the agency will continue assisting the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in joining the UN peace-keeping operations.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Ameerah Haq made the remarks while meeting with Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh in Hanoi on May 26.

She welcomed the ministry’s establishment of a peace-keeping center and its dispatch of two officers to take part in the South Sudan mission.

Hailing the progress made in the bilateral multi-faceted cooperation, Minister Thanh said the ministry appreciates technical assistance and experience sharing from the UN.

Earlier the UN official was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who said joining the UN peace-keeping force is a serious and long-term commitment of Vietnam in a hope to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of peace in the world.

Viet Nam hopes for stability in Thailand

Viet Nam hopes Thailand will stabilise its situation soon in order to ensure peace, stability and co-operation in the region, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Le Hai Binh said on Saturday.

As Thailand's neighbour and fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Viet Nam was watching the developments in Thailand with keen attention, the official added.

The same day, the Consulate Department under the ministry warned Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Thailand if it was not essential.

The Vietnamese community in Thailand was told to abide by the provisions issued by local authorities and contact Viet Nam's representative offices in the country if in need of assistance.

PM inspects progress of NA building project

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has ordered contractors, investors and consultancy providers to ensure that the deadline for the completion of the National Assembly building is met.

He also asked them to ensure the project is of top quality and has absolute safety standards.

Inspecting the progress of the project in Ha Noi on Saturday, the prime minister also stressed the special and political significance of the building, adding that not much time was left for the handing over of the building, slated for the first half of October this year.

He was told that there were a number of problems in the project, including those regarding its architecture and the test-run of imported mechanical and electrical systems which will take time to fix if there's any failure.

He was informed that the project is proceeding as per the schedule.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai instructed contractors to work out back-up plans for proposals which could face delays.

Meanwhile, Construction Minister Trinh Dinh Dung asked the concerned companies to import equipment as planned and to test the machines as soon as they are available.

Lao security official welcomed in Hanoi

Laos expects to strengthen ties with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, Lao Deputy Minister of Public Security Kongthong Phongvichit has stated.

Phongvichit, who is in Vietnam to attend the upcoming fifth annual conference on security and anti-crime cooperation, co-hosted by the two ministries, voiced his hope at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security, Gen. Tran Dai Quang, in Hanoi on May 25.

Quang conveyed his deepest condolences to the Lao National Assembly, Government and the Ministry of Public Security over the recent deaths of its Minister Thoongban Sengaphon and senior officials in a plane crash.

Quang assured his guest that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will foster the special solidarity with their Lao counterparts.

He said he believes the conference will be a success.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA