(VOVworld) - Scientists from France and Germany, and the US’ Harvard University gathered in Hanoi on Thursday at a seminar to review the 40 years since the 1973 Paris Peace Accords. Participants included former ambassadors, diplomats, members of the Vietnamese negotiating delegation, and witnesses.

Minister Nguyen Thi Binh signed the Paris Peace Accords to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam.

Doctor Nguyen Van Khanh, Rector of the Social Sciences and Humanity University, said the Paris Peace Accords were extremely important to Vietnam’s national independence and reunification. He noted that it was an historic event reflecting Vietnam’s military and diplomatic skill adding ‘The seminar offers a comprehensive view of the event and focuses on, first, the historical context, the balance of power between Vietnam and the US that led to the Paris Peace Accords. Second, the interests of the US, the former Soviet Union, and China in the negotiations. Third, the results and influence on Vietnam’s victory and other peace efforts around the world. We hope that the reports and ideas presented at this meeting will contribute useful lessons for dealing with current conflicts and disagreements in the region and the world at large.’

Delegates agreed that the Paris Accords were hammered out by five years of strenuous negotiation and 20-years of prolonged struggles by the Vietnamese people with the most resounding triumph being the Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air victory of 1972.  

In related news, 30 international delegates who are former diplomats, intellectuals, and overseas Vietnamese to have participated either directly or indirectly in the negotiations of Paris Peace Accords will arrive in Vietnam to attend activities to mark 40 years of signing the agreement. In a press briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, Secretary General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations, said it’s a chance for Vietnam to show its gratefulness to the international support for its struggle against American imperialists. It also offers an opportunity for Vietnam to review the history, praise the revolutionary pride, and educate the glorious revolution for younger generations. Ms. Hoang Van said ‘The highlight of the series of activities to mark 40 years of signing the Paris Peace Accords is an exchange with international friends who are invited to share their experiences, and memories they had done to support Vietnam. At this meeting, there will be representatives of Vietnamese people from all walks of life. Besides, a meeting will be held in Ho Chi Minh City among international friends and the Vietnamese who directly joined the negotiations and anti-war movements at that time. Following these two activities, we’ll issue a message about international friends’ support for Vietnam.’