Minister Counselor and Deputy Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, Nguyen Hoang Nguyen. (Photo: VOV)

On Thursday the UN Security Council (UNSC) continued its open debate on the situation in the Middle East and specifically Palestine under the chairmanship of Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ian Borg.

Mr. Nguyen expressed deep concern about the growing tension in the region, while affirming that Vietnam opposes all acts of intimidation or use of force that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country. International law and the United Nations Charter must be followed, he said.

Vietnam strongly condemns all forms of violence against civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as recent attacks against commercial vessels traveling on international maritime routes, according to Mr. Nguyen.

He affirmed that Vietnam backs all efforts toward reconciliation that lead to a sustainable, long-term solution to the ongoing conflict. He also stressed the importance of the Middle East peace process on the basis of a two-state solution.

Mr. Nguyen added that Vietnam supports the key role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in performing the humanitarian relief mission in Gaza and strongly supports the legitimate aspirations of the State of Palestine to soon become an official member of the United Nations.