Vietnamese Deputy PM chairs open debate on observance of UN Charter

ABO/NDO – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired an open debate of the UN Security Council on January 9 that focused on adhering to the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the open debate on January 9. (Photo: MOFA)

The ministerial-level debate, held at the UN’s headquarters in New York on the occasion of the UN’s 75th anniversary, was an important part of Vietnam’s presidency of the UN Security Council in January, which is also the first month of its council membership.

In his speech, Minh underlined the special importance of respect for and adherence to the UN Charter in maintaining international peace and security to help humankind steer clear of a new world war and promote dialogue to seek solutions to hundreds of conflicts.

He stressed that Vietnam considers adherence to the UN Charter and international law the most important means to nurture sustainable peace, bring about prosperity, and build a law-based world order with fair, equitable and friendly relations among countries.

At the debate, the UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement compiled under the chair of Vietnam.

On the same day, Minh had meetings with countries’ leaders and foreign ministers that took part in the debate. In his meeting with Urmas Reinsalu, Foreign Minister of Estonia, a country that is also a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2020-2021, Minh suggested the two countries continue to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in trade and investment, and closely coordinate at the council, thus contributing to the UN’s peace and security activities.

Reinsalu said that his country supports Vietnam’s priorities to address conflicts and cyber security, and improve the working methods of the UN. Estonia attaches importance to strengthening its relations with Vietnam and other ASEAN members, especially as Vietnam acts as the chair of the group this year. He urged the two countries to expand cooperation in the fields of strength such as agriculture and digital technology.

Meanwhile, Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto said his country treasures its ties with Vietnam, and hopes to enhance multi-faceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation. He called on the two sides to accelerate the implementation of projects invested by Hungary in Vietnam.

For his part, Minh said after the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) are approved, they will contribute to promoting trade ties between Vietnam and the EU in general, and Hungary in particular.

At the meeting with Michelle Muntefering, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the two sides discussed measures to push trade and investment relations, especially tapping opportunities when the EVFTA and the EVIPA are ratified. They also underlined the need to maintain peace, stability, aviation security and safety in the East Sea.

In a meeting between Minh and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, the two sides agreed to consider negotiating a framework agreement to create a foundation for cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy PM and FM Minh conveyed Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s invitation to Gonsalves to visit Vietnam.

(Source: NDO)