To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Vietnam’s position as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. (189609)

Vietnam was elected on to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the period of 2008-09. The UK works with all members of the UN Security Council to ensure that the body is effective in tackling threats to international peace and security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Vietnamese Government on its role on the UN Security Council, with particular reference to that country’s relations with China. (189610)

The UK works closely with all members of the UN Security Council to ensure the body is effective in tackling threats to international peace and security. Officials in New York and London have held meetings with officials of newly elected members, including Vietnam, to explore how we can work together on the Council. A Vietnamese ministerial team, lead by Vice-Minister Le Van Bang, visited the UK on 29-30 November 2007. The Vice-Minister had meetings with me and Whitehall officials on various issues before the Council, including Burma, counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation.