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VN calls for strengthening int’l peace and security

VGP – Speaking at the on-going general debate of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh called on the international community to live up to their responsibility to strengthen international peace and security, prevent potential conflicts and find solutions to on-going hostilities.

September 28, 2014 5:08 PM GMT+7

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh delivers his statement at the general debate of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, the US, September 27, 2014 - Photo: VOV

The top Vietnamese diplomat stressed that “history has taught us that the paths leading to wars and conflicts lie in obsolete doctrines of power politics, of ambitions of domination and imposition, and of the threat of force in settling international disputes, including territorial and sovereignty disputes.”

He expressed his belief that respect for international law is the foundation of peace, security and stability for sustainable development. Therefore, all UN member states, big or small, rich or poor, must all respect and seriously observe the principles, rules and norms of the UN Charter and international law.

All nations must renounce the use of force as an option in their international relations, and settle all disputes by peaceful means. This is a crucial area in which the UN represents a powerful advance from the League of Nations and it commands greater commitment and efforts of Member States.

He said Viet Nam calls for an end to unilateral economic sanctions against developing countries and supports UNGA resolutions on ending the economic embargo against Cuba.

Viet Nam also strongly condemns all acts of terror under any forms, especially the targeting of civilians and supports all international efforts and initiatives to combat this menace in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

Deputy PM, FM Minh emphasized that the UN must accelerate its reform process in a comprehensive, balanced, transparent and equal manner in the interests of all Member States meanwhile the Security Council must be reformed in both membership and working methods to better respond to global challenges to peace and security.

Viet Nam, as the Deputy PM, FM said, consistently pursues principled position to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and to settle international disputes and conflicts, including the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea while abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and working towards early conclusion of the Code of Conduct.

Viet Nam also backs efforts to strengthen the multilateral trade system to create fresh momentum for the world economy to regain sustained growth.

The Southeast Asian country is now working with other ASEAN nations to establish an ASEAN Community in 2015 with three pillars, namely political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation as it will help build a Southeast Asia region of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity and form a regional architecture, with ASEAN at the centre, founded upon international law.

Dispatching military officers to the UN Peace-keeping Mission in South Sudan and presenting candidatures to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2016-2018 and the Security Council for 2020-2021 are among vivid examples of Viet Nam’s efforts to enhance principles and norms for peace, sustainable development and human rights.

By Hai Minh