Vietnam backs initiatives to promote Middle East peace process
	Vietnam supports all initiatives, efforts helping with Middle East Peace Process
	Long-term prospects for Vietnamese ties with Middle East, Africa

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy. (Photo: Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN)

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy expressed Vietnam’s serious concern over military escalation and cross-border attacks in Yemen at an UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held in New York on May 12.

During the meeting, UNSC member states called for an end to violence, greater efforts to help Yemen fight hunger and increased funding for UN humanitarian operations.

Several countries expressed concern about attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure facilities in Saudi Arabia. They called on parties not to obstruct humanitarian activities and protect civilians, especially women and children. They also underlined the need to realize the Stockholm and Riyadh Agreements and urged Ansar Allah to cooperate with the UN in solving the issue of the Safer oil tanker off the coast of Yemen before it is too late.

Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations welcomed the recent shuttle diplomacy efforts by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and associates to promote stakeholders' participation in the UN-led peace proposal for Yemen.

The Vietnamese diplomat called on the parties to step up cooperation with special envoy Martin to soon find a sustainable solution to end conflicts and promote peace and stability in the middle eastern nation.

It is essential to immediately stop hostile actions, not to impede humanitarian activities and call on the international community to continue providing financial support to Yemen, Quy said, while urging parties to accelerate the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and the Riyadh Agreement, with the UN playing a mediating role.

Smoke from an airstrike rises over the city of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip. (Photo: UN News)

The same day, at the UNSC’s second emergency meeting held this week to discuss escalating tension between Israel and Palestine in recent times, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy said Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalation of tension, violence and armed conflict leading to casualties between the two Middle Eastern nations.

Vietnam condemns violence and excessive use of lethal weapons against civilians, Quy said, while calling on all parties concerned to immediately stop the escalation of violence, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid actions and statements that could further complicate the tension.

The nation calls on the parties to settle conflicts through peaceful measures, ensure the security, safety and legitimate interests of the people; and not to attack their essential infrastructure, Quy added.

The diplomat also underlined the important role of regional and international parties, including the Middle East Quartet, and welcomed recent efforts of international organisations and countries to ease the tension.

Touching upon the situation at the meeting, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, stated that if there is a war, people of both sides will suffer the consequences. He called on the UNSC and involved parties to take urgent action to prevent the risk.

The first emergency meeting on the issue was held on May 10 at the request of eight council member states, including Tunisia, Ireland, China, Estonia, France, Norway, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Vietnam.

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