LookAtVietnam – Viet Nam has successfully completed its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

President Nguyen Minh Triet holds Viet Nam’s chair as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council last September.

Within its two-year term ending tomorrow, Viet Nam had actively participated in the council, held independent positions, made contributions, been co-operative, responsible and diplomatic in dealing with differences among members, said Minh.

“The country has fulfilled the goals set by the Party, State and Government, had a number of initiatives, and contributed to various activities of the UNSC, including maintaining peace and security in the world, which was praised by other countries,” he said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, top leaders of many countries and key international and regional partners appreciated Viet Nam’s contributions to the UNSC, which proved its active, responsible constructive manner towards common issues, said Minh.

They expected Viet Nam to hold bigger roles at international and regional forums, particularly during its presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

Non-Aligned and developing countries also praised Viet Nam’s various contributions to boosting the role of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and developing world, particularly when it was NAM coordinator at the UNSC, as it regularly advised member countries, said the diplomat.

Viet Nam’s role on the world’s leading security mechanism improved the country’s position in the international arena and fostered its bilateral ties.

“Lessons learned from its term at the UNSC over the past two years will be good experience for Viet Nam’s taking of the 2010 ASEAN chairmanship,” said Minh.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said joining the UNSC was a big step in turning into reality Viet Nam’s foreign policies, which were based on independence, diversification, multi-lateralisation, and making positive contributions to the common affairs of international community.

During its membership, Viet Nam took the presidency of the Security Council, held in turn by the UNSC members based on their English alphabetical order of their names, in July 2008 and October 2009.

Within the past two years, the UNSC has had a huge work load with more than 1,500 meetings at all levels, averaging 2.5 meetings a day, passing 113 resolutions and issuing 165 presidential statements and press releases.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News