Paris Peace Accords: Valuable Diplomatic Lessons

Delegate speaking at the seminar. Photo: Hai An

The seminar was organized by the National Political Publishing House, the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.

At the seminar, prestigious scientists who are experienced leaders and managers in the diplomatic work of various departments, ministries and branches have appreciated the important role of the Paris Peace Accords and the Paris Conference in the cause of national liberation and reunification.

They affirmed that this is the victory of our country's diplomatic front in the resistance war against America, a milestone in the history of Vietnamese revolution.

According to many experts and scientists, many important lessons can be drawn and applied to the handling of foreign affairs in the current period, such as;

The independent and self-reliant viewpoint in the foreign policy of the Party and the State on the basis of Ho Chi Minh's thought on diplomacy; Seize the opportunity to win step by step and then to the decisive victory; Take the initiative in negotiations and persevere in fighting.

Negotiate to gain public opinion, gather international forces and influence the internal affairs of the opponent; Combining diplomatic struggles with military and political struggles;

Respect commitments but always be careful, raise vigilance to deal with all situations; Build a team of diplomats to successfully complete assigned goals and tasks.

Affirming the achievements of the Paris Peace Accords and the Paris Conference, Vu Khoan - former Secretary of the Party Central Committee and former Deputy Prime Minister said that there are four lessons learned from the success of the agreement, which are: combination, determination, perseverance, ingenuity.

The seminar also mentioned the press interview of Nguyen Thi Binh, former member of the Party Central Committee and former Vice President at the conference in Paris.

"The lessons of diplomacy drawn and accumulated from the process of negotiating the Paris Peace Accords until today are still valid," Nguyen Thi Binh said:

Those lessons are to uphold the principle of independence and self-reliance, to come from the national interest, to know how your own forces are, how the opponent is to decide each step, and always have a combination of the battlefield and the diplomatic front.