Bert De Belder, head of the Workers’ Party of Belgium’s Department of International Relations speaks with Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Brussels. — VNA/VNS Photo Duy Tùng

BRUSSELS — The Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) and the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) share close and strong historical and inspirational ties, rooted in Việt Nam’s struggle for national liberation, according to Bert De Belder, head of the PTB’s Department of International Relations.

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Brussels ahead of General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President Tô Lâm’s visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium, Belder discussed Party-to-Party ties, Việt Nam's 40-year Đổi mới (Renewal) process, and prospects for cooperation between Việt Nam and Belgium and Europe.

He said Việt Nam’s struggle for liberation inspired the PTB's student founders, while President Hồ Chí Minh’s revolutionary career also influenced the Party’s formation.

Belder noted that the Belgian people had shown solidarity with the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national liberation and continued to do so after Việt Nam gained independence and embarked on the path of socialist construction.

Solidarity projects and campaigns have brought together Belgian people, committees, organisations, trade unions and the PTB with Vietnamese people and organisations, producing positive results in many fields.

The relationship also reflects shared beliefs and values, he said, as the PTB supports socialism.

Reflecting on Việt Nam’s development and socio-economic progress, Belder noted that the Southeast Asian nation was ravaged by war, yet its remarkable economic and social advancements over the last 40 years are undeniable.

He stressed that Việt Nam had chosen its own development path, as every country, people, government and Party made its own choices. Nevertheless, the two Parties shared values, beliefs and a determination to build socialism or, more broadly, a better world.

The PTB respects and appreciates the Đổi mới process and its new phase following the 14th National Party Congress, while studying Việt Nam’s experience, particularly its effective approaches and achievements in promoting welfare and progress, he said.

He said that documents issued by the CPV and the Government showed a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges in fighting corruption and inequality and adapting to global changes, issues shared by countries in the Global South and those pursuing or seeking to build socialism.

Belder lauded the role of the CPV as a key strength in this process. With deep roots in society and close links with the people, the Party demonstrated its ability to overcome major difficulties, from the past struggle for liberation to the challenges posed by the current global economy amid wars, conflicts and militarisation.

Belder said Asia’s growing economic and political influence creates opportunities to deepen Belgium-Việt Nam and Europe-Việt Nam cooperation, with both sides benefiting from efforts to overcome difficulties.

He also highlighted potential for greater people-to-people exchanges, tourism and culinary cooperation. — VNA/VNS