Geneva Accords are a valuable handbook on Vietnam's diplomacy and foreign affairs: FM Bui Thanh Son
WVR - On April 21, on the occasion of 70 year anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Accords on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam (July 21, 1954 - 2024), Minister Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has highlighted its significance and valuable lessons for Vietnam's diplomatic endeavors.
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| Minister Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the interview on the significance of the signing of the Geneva Accords. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In an interview granted to the press, Foreign Minister Son affirmed that “the Geneva Accords are a valuable handbook” on Vietnam's diplomacy and foreign affairs, which the Party has inherited, creatively applied, and developed in negotiations, the signing and implementation of the Paris Agreement in 1973, as well as in current diplomatic activities…”.
Regarding the outcomes and significance of the Geneva Conference in 1954, Foreign Minister Son recalled that on July 21, 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed after 75 days of tense and complex negotiations. As President Ho Chi Minh assessed: "The Geneva Conference has concluded. Our diplomacy has achieved great victory." For the first time in the nation's history, the fundamental national rights of Vietnam – independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity – were affirmed in an international agreement, recognized and respected by the countries participating in the Geneva Conference. This was the result of the resilient struggle of Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Party throughout the prolonged resistance against colonialism, with the pinnacle glorious Dien Bien Phu victory, which "resounded across the five continents and shook the globe."
Alongside the victory at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Accords completely ended the colonial domination of the old imperialism which lasted near 100 years in the country, ushering in a new chapter in the cause of national liberation and reunification. It marked the establishment of socialism in the North and the launch of the democratic national revolution in the South, aiming to fully realize the goal of national independence and unity, Foreign Minister Son stressed.
The signing of the Geneva Accords was not only a historic milestone for the nation but also held significance for the era, the Foreign Minister said. It represented the collective victory of the three Indochinese countries and peace-loving people worldwide. The Geneva Accords, along with Dien Bien Phu victory, strongly encouraged oppressed peoples to rise up in the struggle for national liberation, heralding the era of the collapse of colonialism worldwide.
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| Geneva Accords are a valuable handbook on Vietnam's diplomacy and foreign affairs: The signing of the Geneva Accords was not only a historical milestone for the nation but also held significance for the era, (Photo: VNA) |
The Geneva Accords marked the first multilateral international agreement which was negotiated, signed, and implemented by Vietnam. The Geneva Accords not only affirmed Vietnam's independent and sovereign status on the international stage but also represented a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam's revolutionary diplomacy. It left valuable lessons and contributed to the honing of numerous outstanding diplomats in the Ho Chi Minh era.
With regards to lessons learned for Vietnam's diplomatic sector, especially in building diplomacy imbued with the distinctive characteristics of “Vietnam bamboo”, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the process of negotiation, signing, and implementation of the Geneva Accords is a valuable handbook on Vietnam's diplomatic principles and practices. It has been inherited by the Party, creatively applied, and further developed in subsequent negotiations, the signing and implementation of the Paris Agreement in 1973, as well as in current foreign affairs activities.
Alongside lessons on principles such as ensuring the Party's absolute unified leadership, steadfastly pursuing independence and self-reliance based on national interests, the Geneva Accords offered many valuable lessons on methods and art in diplomacy that reflect the distinctive characteristics of Vietnamese diplomacy in the Ho Chi Minh era.
These lessons include the combining the strength of the nation with the strength of the times, the unity of the nation intertwined with international solidarity to create "unrivaled strength." During the negotiations of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam kept expanding international solidarity, pooling support from people worldwide to the righteous struggle by the Vietnamese people.
This is a lesson in steadfastly maintaining principle goals, yet flexibility and adaptability in strategies, following the motto "to be firm in principles but flexible in their applications." Throughout the process of negotiations, signing, and implementation of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam consistently adhered to the principles of peace, national independence, and territorial integrity while dynamically and flexibly applying appropriate strategies in accordance with the balance of power and the international and regional context to achieve the ultimate strategic goal.
The Foreign Minister also underlined lessons of about always attaching importance to making research, assessment and forecasting the situation, in accordance with the motto “knowing oneself, knowing others, understanding the times, and understanding the circumstances in order to advance, retreat, be flexible, and be firm accordingly”. This is a profound lesson that remains valuable in the context of today's highly complex and unpredictable world.
Foreign Minister Son also noted the lesson in using dialogue and peaceful negotiation to resolve differences and conflicts in international relations. This lesson is particularly relevant in today's era, especially with many complex conflicts occurring worldwide, he emphasized.
Regarding the support and assistance from progressive world friends for the Vietnamese people during negotiations and signing of the Geneva Accords, Foreign Minister Son said that the righteous struggle for peace, national independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Vietnamese people aligned with the trend of the times and the common aspirations of progressive people worldwide. Therefore, in the overall cause of national liberation and reunification, and specifically in the negotiations, signing, and implementation of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam consistently received significant and invaluable support, both materially and spiritually, from international friends, primarily from Laos, Cambodia, socialist countries, and peace-loving people worldwide.
In the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, adhering to the Party's sound foreign policy, Vietnam continues to receive invaluable support and cooperation from the international community on the basis of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Vietnamese Party, State, and people always highly value and keep in mind the support and assistance from international friends, he said, adding that within its ability, Vietnam always supports and makes active and responsible contributions to the collective efforts of the international community for peace, independence, democracy, and progress worldwide.
