Vietnam urges all parties in the Cote d’Ivoire to unite efforts and resolve differences in the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue that has been the hallmark of the Ouagadougou agreements, thus helping to ensure the prevailing positive political climate before and after the November elections.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council meeting on activities of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in New York on July 23, Vietnam’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, acknowledged the efforts by the Ivory Coast in announcing 29 November 2009 as the new electoral timeline for the long-awaited presidential elections.

The Vietnamese diplomat stressed that the long-term peace, stability and development of Cote d’Ivoire also depends on the successful resolution of challenges posed by the continued volatile situation in northern and western areas, the stalled implementation of key elements of the Fourth Supplementary Agreement, the persistent lack of progress on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, on the unification of armed forces and on the restoration of State administration throughout the country.

The Vietnamese Ambassador said that the supplementary assistance of UN agencies and the international community should be prudently implemented on the basis of local priorities in each particular phase of development, with a view to enhancing national ownership and ensuring maximal utilisation of resources.