Lao Ambassador to Việt Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh.— VNA/VNS Photo

Lao Ambassador to Việt Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh has affirmed that the Geneva Agreements on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina served as a great source of support for national liberation movements and marked the start of the collapse of colonialism around the world.

The diplomat made the affirmation in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Agreements (July 21, 1954-2024).

How do you evaluate the historical significance of the Geneva Agreements?

The Geneva Agreements were an important historical milestone in the prolonged and problematic struggle of the three Indochina nations for peace and independence. It was a great victory as France and other countries participating in the conference pledged to respect sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of the three Indochina countries. The signing of the Agreements was a manifestation of the spirit of patriotism and self-reliance, based on revolutionary principles and the right guideline of the Indochina Communist Party.

I reiterate that this historical victory was not only significant to the Vietnamese revolution movement but also became a source of support for national liberation movements and marked the start of the collapse of colonialism around the world.

Upholding the spirit of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory and the signing the Geneva Agreements on July 21, 1954, Laos, Việt Nam and Cambodia have obtained enormous successes and glorious feats, and finally the great victory in the fight against external aggression in 1975.

How are the values of the Agreements carried forward in the present cause of national construction and development in the three countries?

The historical lesson drawn from the Geneva Agreements is the friendship and special unity of the three countries, especially between Laos and Việt Nam. In order to enhance the values of the significant victory, we must continue to maintain the lesson and the combat spirit, strengthen the unity, and work together to solve all difficulties, respect and trust our own spirit.

At present, cooperation and unity are the keys to achieving the highest goals. Particularly, Laos and Việt Nam should focus on and implement all agreements reached by our leaders in many different areas to strengthen the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas such as investment, trade, tourism, and people to people exchange.

The Lao Party, State and people express our sincere thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State and People for their invaluable, effective and timely assistance to our country in the past as well as in the current cause of national defence, construction and development.

What should the countries do to further strengthen their cooperation and help each other in protecting national independence and freedom, as well as achieving their development targets?

Situations in many parts of the world have become increasingly complicated and unpredictable, with military and political tensions, trade confrontations and diseases posing challenges to peace, security and development of countries, including Laos, Việt Nam and Cambodia.

However, the overall trend of the world today is to shape peace, cooperation and development so it is a great source of aspirations for the international community. Laos, Việt Nam and Cambodia shared a history of fighting together against external aggression in the past so we will continue to strengthen our cooperation, support and assist each other in safeguarding the independence and freedom of our countries in order to create favourable conditions for economic development goals in the future. We should work together, share experiences, discuss and solve difficulties and consider to develop different mechanisms, which will support and create more achievements, especially in educating young generations, encouraging them to understand the past and respect the great victory gained by the past generations.

I believe with the solidarity and endurance that our three nations of Laos, Việt Nam and Cambodia have shared through years, together with our spirit of good neighbourliness, great traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability, we will continue helping each other to protect our national independence and freedom, and achieve more development targets. —VNS