The defeat of the fascists and aggressors in the Second World War, and indeed in all wars and conflicts, proved that actions driven by expansionism, militarism and the thirst for conquest and dominance can never bend the will of nations to fight for their independence and freedom

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh delivers his remarks
at UN Security Council high-level Arria-formula meeting “75 years from the end
of the Second World War on European Soil on May 8, 2020. Photo: VGP

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stressed the aforesaid point at UN Security Council high-level Arria-formula meeting “75 years from the end of the Second World War on European Soil – lessons learned for preventing future atrocities, responsibility of the Security Council,” which took place on May 8.

Seventy-five years ago, the deadliest war in human history ended, but only after having caused untold suffering to hundreds of millions of people around the world, Minh emphasized.

For Viet Nam, the end of World War II helped bring a new beginning, as the nation emerged independent, after nearly a century under colonialism, he said.

Rising from the ashes of World War II, nations have come together to rebuild a more peaceful, stable and prosperous world. At the center of these efforts emerged a collective security system anchored in the UN Charter and international law.

Unfortunately, the end of the Second World War did not mean that peace was guaranteed. Colonialism and aggression continued to wreak havoc on nations. Viet Nam, for one, suffered decades of devastating wars before our final victory in gaining independence, unification and peace.

Given the lessons learnt from the World War II and from our own history, Viet Nam believes strongly that upholding international law, strengthened solidarity, cooperation and mutual trust on a global scale must underline our efforts to preserve the hard-won peace and stability in all parts of the world, Minh stated.

He said the principles of the Charter, particularly those of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-use of force and peaceful settlement of disputes, have proven to be pivotal in preventing another disastrous world war and maintaining sustainable peace.

Deputy PM, FM Minh expressed his belief that the world’s common human aspiration for peace, freedom and justice, and our determination to defend independence, sovereignty and territory, will prevail over confrontation, the use of force and attempts for domination and conquest./.