United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam has warmly welcomed Viet Nam becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying that the move will help Viet Nam further contribute to the UN’s role in promoting and maintaining international peace and security.

Resident Coordinator John Hendra made the remark with a Viet Nam News Agency reporter right after Viet Nam was elected by the UN General Assembly as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term with 183 out of 190 votes on October 16.

“This is evidence of Viet Nam ’s further integration into the international community and of the country’s growing prominence and influence on the world stage,” said the UN official.

“It is also a clear symbol of the Government of Viet Nam’s strong commitment to the United Nations, its principles and its mission,” he added.

Hendra said Security Council membership is the most recent milestone in Viet Nam ’s 30-year history of active engagement in the United Nations.

“Viet Nam ’s readiness to commit time, energy and expertise to the United Nations is a reflection of the central place of multilateralism, peace, international co-operation and mutual respect among nations in the Government’s foreign policy,” Hendra noted.

However, the UN official pointed out challenges that Viet Nam would face with after the country was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Hendra said that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Viet Nam ’s responsibility will be much heavier than that of an ordinary UN member. But he said he was confident that Viet Nam will be able to make a very important contribution to the work of the Security Council.

Source: VNA