Peacekeeping centre opens

Minister of Defence Phung Quang Thanh (centre) grants the Determined-to-Win Military Flag to representatives from the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre during the centre's inauguration ceremony. - VNA/VNS Photo Trong Duc

The centre is tasked with preparing counselling and training personnel and forces from the Viet Nam People's Army to join UN peacekeeping missions.

At the launch ceremony, the ministry dispatched Lieutenant Colonels Mac Duc Trong and Tran Nam Ngan to serve as liaison officers for the UN peacekeeping team in South Sudan. They plan to leave in June.

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh said that the inauguration of the centre was the outcome of joint efforts by the ministry and other sectors over nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam underlined the political significance of the centre, adding that peace could only exist if no country took unilateral actions running counter to international law.

"Peace can only be maintained when all countries, regardless of size and power, respect one another's independence and sovereignty and share the responsibility of keeping peace through practical and concrete actions," he said.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Ameerah Haq said that by setting up the centre and dispatching two officers to South Sudan, Viet Nam had taken a major step forward in its co-operation with the international community.