Prime Minister asks UN Secretary General to promote settlement of East Sea disputes

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to promote the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the organization's headquarters in New York City, USA on May 30.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister informed the Secretary-General about recent developments in the East Sea and asked Mr. Guterres to support and promote the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully respect diplomatic and legal processes, and soon complete the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The Secretary-General emphasized the role of preventive diplomacy and resolving conflicts and disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam is a responsible member of the United Nations, actively contributing to common work, including having just completed its term as a member of the Human Rights Council and is currently serving as a member of the Economic and Social Council and the UNESCO Executive Board. Vietnam plans to run for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

The Prime Minister asked the United Nations to increase support for Vietnam in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Prime Minister stressed that Vietnam has decided to be one of the 10 leading countries implementing the United Nations' initiative to respond to El Nino and La Nina.

Secretary-General Guterres said the United Nations will promote cooperation with Vietnam through the implementation of the Common Strategic Plan for the 2017-2021 period.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Vietnam - United Nations relations, the Prime Minister invited the Secretary-General to visit Vietnam this year. The Secretary-General thanked him and wished to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

On the same day, the Prime Minister attended the ceremony to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the United Nations, with the participation of Secretary-General Guterres, Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, along with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives of more than 100 permanent delegations to the United Nations and many international organizations.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to its cooperative relationship with the United Nations and believes that in the current world situation, it is necessary to promote the central role of the United Nations, especially in maintaining international peace and security, and resolving conflicts and disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for the United Nations Charter and international law.

The Prime Minister hopes that countries will support Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and emphasize Vietnam's commitment to actively contributing to the implementation of United Nations missions.

Speaking at the event, the UN Secretary-General and President of the UN General Assembly congratulated Vietnam's development achievements over the past four decades and acknowledged Vietnam's contributions to the work of the United Nations.

According to Chinhphu.vn