60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Geneva Agreement

On the morning of July 18, in Hanoi, a national ceremony was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Vietnam (July 20, 1954 - July 20, 2014).

President Truong Tan Sang awarded the title "Hero of the People's Armed Forces" to the delegation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at the Geneva Conference.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; President Truong Tan Sang; President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh - Head of the Organizing Committee of the Ceremony; General Tran Dai Quang, Minister of Public Security; former Party and State leaders... attended.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Truong Tan Sang affirmed that this is an important historical milestone in our people's long and arduous struggle for independence and freedom.

For the first time, the French Government and each country participating in the Geneva Conference pledged to respect sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and absolutely not interfere in Vietnam's internal affairs.

The Geneva Agreement was an important step forward, affirming the Vietnamese people's aspiration for peace associated with independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; it had both legal significance and created a material and spiritual foundation for our people to continue fighting for victory in the cause of completely liberating the country.

The victory at the Geneva Conference was the victory of the correct revolutionary line, resistance line, and foreign policy of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh; the victory of the 9-year long resistance war with great sacrifices of the people; the victory of the young revolutionary diplomacy.

For the first time, Vietnam's young diplomacy stepped onto the international stage in the context of complicated developments in the world situation and international relations. The major countries participating in the Conference were pursuing different goals and interests, but "we won," the President emphasized.

President Truong Tan Sang speaks at the ceremony.

The negotiating delegation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam promoted the victory of our army and people on the battlefield, the righteous strength of the nation, and applied many diverse forms of activities with steadfast fighting methods, sharp and persuasive arguments, but also flexible, supple and tactical.

The victory of the Geneva Conference was also a victory of the spirit of international solidarity because our people received the wholehearted support and assistance of the revolutionary forces of Laos and Cambodia, the great assistance of socialist countries, international friends, and peace- and justice-loving people in the world. Our Party, State and people will forever remember and be grateful for that valuable support and assistance.

The President said that the Geneva Agreement left many valuable lessons, including the lesson of upholding the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and persistently protecting national and ethnic interests; and the lesson of strengthening potential and enhancing the country's overall strength - an internal factor of decisive significance.

In that pride, the President expressed his infinite gratitude to the great President Ho Chi Minh - who directly directed the activities of the Government Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam at the Geneva Conference in 1954; the late Deputy Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Government Delegation of Vietnam; acknowledged and highly appreciated the contributions of the officers and soldiers who served the diplomatic struggle at the Conference.

“60 years have passed, many comrades are no longer here, many comrades are old and weak and could not attend the Anniversary Ceremony. On behalf of the Party and State leaders, I would like to send my warmest regards and warmest feelings to you and your families,” the President said emotionally.

To promote the heroic traditions of the nation in the new period, President Truong Tan Sang requested that the foreign affairs sector focus on performing well a number of tasks such as continuing to strengthen the comprehensive and unified leadership of the Party, the centralized management of the State over foreign affairs activities; and harmoniously and closely coordinating diplomatic channels.

Leaders and former leaders of the Party and State attended the ceremony.

In addition, we must continue to maintain a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and mutual development...; fight uncompromisingly against forces that attempt to violate Vietnam's independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; and at the same time persistently pursue the policy of resolving all disputes by peaceful means, respecting regional commitments and international law.

In addition, it is necessary to proactively and actively integrate more deeply into the international community to mobilize and effectively use both internal and external resources to serve the cause of national construction and defense; at the same time, consistently implement the motto "Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, striving for peace, independence and development".

The President stated that in the context of globalization and deep international integration, the implementation of foreign policies and guidelines is not only the task of the foreign affairs sector but also the task of the entire political system and the entire population. Therefore, it is necessary to “enhance the capacity and awareness of all organizations, agencies, local departments, enterprises and each citizen in handling issues related to or involving foreign elements”, creating trust and good feelings of people of other countries towards Vietnam, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party's foreign policy.

Delegates visited the exhibition of photos and artifacts related to the Geneva Agreement.

On this occasion, President Truong Tan Sang awarded the title "Hero of the People's Armed Forces" to the delegation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam for its great and important contributions at the Geneva Conference.

Speaking after receiving the noble title from the Party and State, Mr. Tran Viet Phuong - a member of the Vietnamese Government delegation at the Geneva Conference, former Private Secretary of the late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, said this is a worthy reward for the heroes and martyrs who made the Dien Bien Phu victory.

*Within the framework of the Celebration, an exhibition of photos and artifacts related to the Geneva Agreement is on display at the Hanoi International Convention Center.

According to chinhphu.vn