Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on February 25 for Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations, who is on a visit to Vietnam until February 28.

At the meeting, Vinh stressed that the experience sharing and support from the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations over the past time, and Mulet’s suggestions during this visit, will help the Vietnam People’s Army complete its preparations to participate in the UN’s peacekeeping force in early 2014.

He also informed the guest of the training of officers, who will work as observers at the UN.

Mulet said that the peacekeeping department will work closely with the Vietnam People’s Army and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese side to send officers to visit a UN peacekeeping mission.

Earlier the same day, Mulet met with Assistant to Vietnamese Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, who highly valued the UN’s contributions to maintaining peace and international security over the past 70 years, including the implementation of peacekeeping operations in many regions across the world.

Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam will continue implementing foreign policies of independence, self-mastery, peace, cooperation and development, and take the initiative in international integration.

The country is a trustworthy friend and partner and a responsible member of the international community, and attaches importance to the multi-faceted relationship with the UN, he added.

For his part, Mulet spoke highly of Vietnam’s role, international prestige and contributions over the past years, adding that he hoped Vietnam will continue to contribute to the UN’s activities, especially in maintaining peace and international security.-VNA