(VOVworld) – The United Nations appreciates Vietnam’s active participation and preparations for peacekeeping operations and believes the country will be a reliable peacekeeping partner.

Two officers of the Vietnam People's Army joining UN peacekeeping forces in Sudan: Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Ngan (L) and Lieutenant Colonel Mac Duc Trong (C) (Photo: Vietnam+)

Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, made the statement in an interview with a VOV’s correspondent in Washington. He said Vietnam has considered the participation an opportunity to show its responsibilities to the international community, abiding by the UN Charter, international law, and its 2013 revised Constitution.

Lieutenant General Tuan told VOV: “Vietnam will participate in stabilizing war zones and in humanitarian activities but not in operation. This is an important norm for us to join the mission. Based on UN guidelines, Vietnam will soon set up a level 2 field hospital and a company of sappers which can begin their operations as soon as the UN says they’re qualified enough. We haven’t decided yet whether these units will be deployed in the UN Mission in South Sudan. But we will make a fact-finding trip in South Sudan to learn more.”

During the working visit to the US, the Vietnamese military delegation held working sessions with US defense officials including David Shear, Defense Secretary Assistant and former US Ambassador to Vietnam, and Anne A.Witkowsky, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability and Humanitarian Affairs.