VN backs UN's role in Western Sahara issue

New York (VNA) - A Vietnamese representative to the UN Security Council has emphasised the support role of UN agencies and international donors in finding a fair and durable solution to the Western Sahara issue.

"We believe the continued support of UN agencies and international donor community
remains critical to help find a just and satisfactory solution to the Western
Sahara question which ensures the legitimate interests of and is acceptable to all
parties concerned," said Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung at the UNSC's consultation on
Western Sahara on April 22.

The diplomat took a positive note of certain progress over the past year such as
the overall stable situation in the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western
Sahara (MINURSO)'s areas of responsibility, the continued exchanges of family
visits in the Tindouf area, and the sustained efforts of the parties on clearance
of mines and unexploded ordnance left from the war.

However, Trung shared the common concerns about the plight of the Western Saharan
refugees as well as the restrictions on the freedom of movements of UN military
observers.

He urged the concerned parties to enhance cooperation with MINURSO to jointly
address issues of common interest and strengthen preparations for the next round
of negotiations.

The Vietnamese representative also voiced his support for confidence-building
measures in conformity with relevant UN resolutions so as to break the impasse and
achieve more concrete and substantive results in the coming time.-Enditem