Vietnam calls on parties in Western Sahara to return to negotiations
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for the settlement of the Western Sahara issue via peace talks between relevant parties on the basis of international law and resolutions of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
New York (VNA) - Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to theUnited Nations (UN), has reaffirmed Vietnam’s supportfor the settlement of the Western Sahara issue via peace talks between relevant parties on thebasis of international law and resolutions of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Addressing the UNSC’s debate on the Western Sahara situation on April 21, theVietnamese diplomat emphasised the need to find a fair, lasting and acceptablesolution to all parties, which guarantees the self-determination of people inWestern Sahara and is consistent with principles and purposes of the UN Charterfor peace, cooperation and development in the region.
He also highlighted the role of the UN and other stakeholders, including theAfrican Union (AU), in conciliating, preventing conflicts and building confidenceto resolve the issue.
Quy urged relevant parties to restrain and avoid actions leading the escalationof tensions, and return to negotiations as soon as possible with the UN’s intermediaterole.
The ambassador shared difficulties facing people in Western Sahara, especiallyin the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that priority should be givento ensuring that humanitarian activities are not impeded.
It is necessary to soon appoint an envoy of the UN Secretary-General to WesternSahara to continue implementing negotiation results achieved in 2019, Quy stated.
Reports presented at thedebate showed that the Western Sahara situation in recent years continued towitness hostile activities and disrespect for the 1991 ceasefire and the MilitaryAgreement No.1 between relevant parties.
Head of the UN Mission forthe Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) Colin Stewart also mentioneddifficulties and challenges facing the mission in implementing its tasks, includingcollecting and verifying information in the field./.
Vietnam has called on concerned parties to respect reached peace agreements in Western Sahara and expressed support for the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)’s efforts to advance peace process during an UN Security Council (UNSC) debate on October 14.
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Illustrative image (Photo: ECFR) 
