Vietnam set to begin UN peacekeeping role

Vietnam’s participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations marks new progress in the international defence integration of the country, said Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan.
Vietnam’s participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping operationsmarks new progress in the international defence integration of thecountry, said Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’sArmy, Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan.

In aninterview granted to the Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper onMay 27, Lt. Gen. Tuan said the move affirms Vietnam’s externalpolicy of multilateralisation and diversification of its relations.

It is also part of the Party’s policy on comprehensive internationalintegration, in which defence is one of the main pillars, he said.

Vietnam’s involvement in the operations also helps raise itsposition and voice in the settlement of global issues. This will helpcreate a favourable international environment for the country to boostpolitical, economic and trade ties with other countries in variousregions across the world, said Lt. Gen. Tuan.

Contributing to the global effort in maintaining peace through specificactivities also shows Vietnam has performed its role as aresponsible member in the international community, he said.

In addition, Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping missionsreflects the nation’s tradition of peace-loving, while getting theworld to understand more about Vietnam’s defence policies, hestated.

At the same time, the officers engaging inthe operations will have a chance to practise in a diverse environment,thus enriching their experience and sharpening their skills, he added.

Lt. Gen. Tuan emphasised that the country’sinvolvement in the UN peacekeeping operations shows an innovation in thethinking of the Party, State and army in international integration.

Vietnam defines national defence as closely attached with thesettlement of emerging security issues in the region and the world, hesaid.

He stressed that the country’s involvement inUN peacekeeping missions shows Vietnam sees peace and stability inthe world as part of its own interests.

Regardingthe principles that Vietnam will uphold when joining the operations,the officer said it will stick to the Party’s guidelines oninternational integration, in which preserving independence andself-control is one of the basic principles.

TheVietnamese force will be put under the management of nobody but the UN,and will only operate within the framework of agreements with the UN inaccordance with Vietnam’s law, international law and the UN Charter,respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, hesaid.

Vietnam will join UN peacekeepingmissions that stay neutral and unprejudiced, not taking part in fightsbut in activities to overcome the aftermath of conflicts and restorepeace as well as humanitarian and support activities like militarylogistics and medicine, said Lt. Gen. Tuan.

Thepolitical determination of Vietnam has been valued by UN agencies, hesaid, adding that UN authorised agencies in peacekeeping have alsoexpressed their great expectation of Vietnam ’s engagement.

In order to prepare for its involvement in the operations, Vietnamhas mapped out a general plan for the work, Lt. Gen. Tuan said.

According to him, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre will open on May 27,providing training on language, international law and the necessaryskills for participating forces.

It will be the keycommunication centre between Vietnamese forces abroad and the commanderpost of the Defence Ministry, he said.

At the sametime, Vietnam has also given intensive training to officers beforesending them on UN peacekeeping missions, while dispatching aninterdisciplinary working team to the field to explore the operations ofthe UN Mission in South Sudan, he noted.

Lt. Gen.Tuan added that Vietnam has also reviewed and completed legaldocuments to create a full and sufficient legal basis for the country’sparticipation in UN peacekeeping operations.

Mentioning specific activities that Vietnam will join, he said that atfirst, Vietnam will prioritise humanitarian operations or thoseproviding support services such as military logistics, medicine andengineering and sending military observers, liaison and advisory teamsand poll supervisors.

The first force will bedispatched on a small scale, with two liaison officers sent to the UNMission in South Sudan, he said.

With its heroictradition, experience and capacity, coupled with its serious and carefulpreparations, the Vietnamese armed forces will successfully performtheir missions in UN peacekeeping operations, Lt. Gen. Tuan concluded.-VNA

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