HANOI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will strictly follow the UN charter, making it the nation's primary principle, and participate in all activities of the UN Security Council as a full member in its term from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2009, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Monday.

    Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Pham Binh Minh made the confirmation in an interview with Vietnam News Agency on the country's officially taking the non-permanent seat on the council beginning on Jan. 1, 2008.

    He detailed the country's intents to join other members in seeking measures for issues related to world peace and security, to consider the roles as a chairman or vice chairman for some committees of the council or as an intermediating role for settling conflicts by peaceful solutions and sharing experiences in post-war reconstruction.

    "The biggest challenge emerging from this mission to Vietnam will be direct pressures from major countries and the impact from other countries' action regarding regional security issues when reflecting a viewpoint through casting votes at the UN Security Council," he said, noting that such pressures come from the different viewpoints as well as from interests between member and non-member countries of the council.

    "A mission with the UN Security Council will also pose numerous issues of great concerns such as increasingly complicated world developments while the UN Security Council's decisions are often required to be made in a short period of time. Such a situation asks for timely policy-making decisions both at home and abroad. Also, it is the first time for Vietnam to undertake the tasks of a UN Security Council member and the country lacks experiences in some of these issues."

    "It will also have to solve numerous complicated issues regarding world security and peace, including those related to the interest of major or regional countries. Finally, we have to deal with a burden of work at the UN Security Council: each year will see more than 200 official and unofficial meetings."

    However, Vietnam has more advantages than difficulties to fulfill its mission, he said, noting that they include the strong international trust and support; peace, cooperation and development continuing to be a major trend in the world in line with Vietnam's party and state policy towards independence, self-reliance, multi-lateralization and diversification in foreign relations; Vietnam's much better external relations after 20 years of renewal; and the country's rich experiences in major multi-lateral diplomatic drives.