Vietnam urges Djibouti, Eritrea to resolve border dispute peacefully

New York (VNA) - Vietnam 's Representative to the
United Nations Security Council (UNSC), ambassador Le Luong Minh expressed
concern at the escalation of tension and the suspension of Djibouti-Eritrea
diplomatic relations while speaking at the USNC's briefing on Oct. 23.

The diplomat noted that the two countries' dispute, if left unchecked,
could spill over into a wider regional conflict with greater potential
consequences.

He called for maximum restraint by both parties for their commitment to a
ceasefire and for the withdrawal of their forces to the status-quo ante,
adding that the two countries should cooperate and engage in diplomatic
efforts to ease the tension and generate political space to resolve the
dispute peacefully.

He said Vietnam commends and supports the mediation efforts of the
African Union, the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference
aimed at finding ways to end the dispute.

He concluded that Vietnam encourages the Secretary-General, in
coordination with regional stakeholders, to use his good offices to develop
confidence-building measures and engage both parties in dialogue with a view
to finding a peaceful solution to the Djibouti-Eritrea border dispute in
conformity with the fundamental principles of international law and the UN
Charter.-Enditem