New York (VNA) - Vietnam supports a free and fair election in Iraq,with the participation of people from all walks of life, including women andyouths, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to theUnited Nations (UN), has affirmed.

Attending a virtual conference of the UN Security Council on the situation inIraq and the operation of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on May 11,Quy said Vietnam backs the Iraqi government’s efforts to prepare for theupcoming elections, and stands ready to discuss Iraq’s request for the UNSecurity Council (UNSC)’s support in election supervision at the UNSC’smeetings.

The Vietnamese diplomat spoke highly of the efforts made by the UN Women andIraqi organisations in promoting the supervision of women’s electionparticipation as well as prevention of violence against female candidates.

Vietnam backs increasing collaboration between Iraq and regional countries torespond to common challenges, he said, calling for all parties to fully respectIraq’s independence and territorial integrity.

Regarding the humanitarian issue, he stressed that it is necessary to pay dueattention to the people who were forced to leave their houses, as well asensure a safe, voluntary and sustained return for them.

Quy lauded cooperation between the Iraq and Kuwaiti governments in the searchfor missing Kuwaitis and citizens of third countries, and the return ofKuwait’s property under the UNSC’s Resolution No.2017.

He went on to laud the UNAMI’s activities in the past time, affirming Vietnam’ssupport of the UN mission and organisations in helping Iraq maintain stabilityand security.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the UNAssistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said that Iraq is experiencing achallenging time due to the spreading COVID-19 pandemic and complicatedsecurity situation with a wide range of terrorist activities targetingcivilians and military objects.

To date, Iraq has fully passed necessary laws to lay a legal foundation for theelection scheduled in October, she said, adding UNAMI and other UNorganisations in Iraq have helped the nation stabilise local situation andprepare for the upcoming election.

At the event, other participants voiced their support for Iraq’s recent effortsto prepare for its election, hoping that the election will live up to thecitizens’ expectation and contribute to the nation’s stability.

They also condemned terrorist activities and assassinations in the nation,calling for inspections into the cases, and further counter-terrorismefforts./.