An international scientific conference on the theme "The 1973 Paris Agreement: 40 Years Later" was organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with Vietnamese scientists and experts from the University of Paris I, the Military History Institute of the Ministry of National Defence, Monterllier University, Lyon University (France), Hawaii Pacific University (USA), and Greifswald University (Germany) on January 17, 2013.The workshop was attended by international experts and scientists: Dr. Pierre Journoud – Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Academy, Ministry of Defence, Republic of France; Professor Jean-Christophe Noel – Policy Planning Expert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of France; Professor Pierre Asselin – University of Hawaii Pacific; Professor Antoine Coppolani – Paul-Valéry University, Montpellier 3; Professor Michael North – Greifswald University. Vietnamese researchers and scientists from universities and research institutes across the country were also present. Notably, the workshop included witnesses who directly participated in the Paris Agreement negotiations: Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh – former Vice Chair of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee; and Mr. Nguyen Khac Huynh – former Ambassador and member of the Paris Agreement negotiating team. The workshop focused on discussing several key issues: the historical context and balance of power between the two sides leading to the Paris Conference and Agreement; The interests of the US, the Soviet Union, China, and other countries in the process of the Paris Agreement. The results and significance of the Paris Agreement in the victory of Vietnam and the forces of peace in the world. Looking back at the Paris Agreement 40 years later, former ambassador and member of the negotiating delegation Nguyen Khac Huynh affirmed: The Paris negotiations were a power struggle between two diplomatic systems. The Paris Agreement is the most important diplomatic victory of Vietnam in all time. One issue, according to him, that no one has mentioned yet is: The Paris Agreement synthesized the victories, bringing a decisive victory to the resistance war against the US. The source of this victory was the strategy of fighting on three fronts, with diplomacy being placed as a strategically significant front.
Drawing lessons from the 1973 Paris Agreement, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh emphasized the importance of resolving current regional and international conflicts: pooling forces and identifying the interests of all parties. The interests of the nation and its people are paramount. Furthermore, in the modern era, this spirit, creativity, and flexibility must be further promoted.
The presentations and opinions expressed by international and Vietnamese scientists at the conference all affirmed that the Paris Agreement has become a symbol of the spirit of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" of the Vietnamese people, of the national liberation movement, and of peace-loving and justice-seeking people around the world. Many other opinions focused on emphasizing that the Paris Agreement was a historical event of significant importance, contributing to the victory of the long, arduous, and persistent struggle of the Vietnamese people. At the same time, it also contains many lessons in diplomacy, military strategy, and the art of negotiation and compromise.
The presentations and opinions at the conference provided practical and useful experiences and lessons in resolving conflicts, disputes, and local wars based on diplomacy and negotiation in the current regional and international context. The scientific conference "The Paris Agreement: 40 Years Later" is one of the practical activities of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, aimed at commemorating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam (January 27, 1973 - January 27, 2013).
