Buenos Aires (VNA) – General Secretary ofthe Brazil–Vietnam Friendship Association Pedro De Oliveira has praised theleadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) during the cause of nationaldefence and development, as well as diplomatic achievements the Southeast Asiannation has recorded over the past years.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency(VNA) on January 7, Oliveira said in the 20th century, numerous and importanthistorical events occurred in sequence, causing changes in the world situation.

One of the highlight was the formation of the CPV onFebruary 3, 1930 by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later known as President Ho Chi Minh), hesaid.

“Shortly after the end of the World War II conflict,the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh successfully conducted the Revolution in August 1945 to wrest power from theJapanese fascists back to their hands and were able to declare national independence, and foundedthe Democratic Republic of Vietnam in September 1945, which was later renamedthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” he continued.

Oliveira cited President Ho Chi Minh as saying “forthe first time in history, a small colonised country triumphed over a greatcolonialist power. This glorious victory was not only that of ourpeople, but also of the forces of peace, democracy and socialism throughout theworld.”

He commended the Declaration of Independence deliveredby President Ho Chi Minh, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam onSeptember 2, 1945, as well as the President’s role in the development of thecountry’s diplomatic sector.

“It was Ho Chi Minh himself who developed the valuesof diplomacy to a higher level, perfectly combining patriotism, nationalculture and diplomatic traditions with the quintessence of world culture anddiplomatic experience,” he elaborated.  

Oliveira also highlighted the idea of bamboodiplomacy coined by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, saying “herelives the soul, spirit and strength of the Vietnamese nation: to be gentle anddexterous, yet tenacious and fiery.”

For achievements brought about by the diplomacy, he highlighted Vietnam has maintained diplomatic relations with 193 countries, addingit is also an active and responsible member of more than 70 major internationalorganisations and forums like the United Nations, the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), theAsia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“The foreign service plays a pioneering role inmaintaining an environment of peace and stability, making an importantcontribution to the firm defence of national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity,” he affirmed.

“Vietnam'sinternational position and prestige in the region and the world are constantlyincreasing, actively contributing to peacekeeping and cooperation fordevelopment and progress in the world. Never before has Vietnam enjoyed suchwealth, strength, position, and international prestige as it does today.”

Regardingthe Vietnam-Brazil relations, Oliveirastressed the significance of the visit to Brazil by Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh last September as the two countries celebrate the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 16th year of theircomprehensive partnership in 2024.

The twosides reiterated commitments to elevating the traditional friendship and goodcooperation to a new height in the time ahead, for peace, stability anddevelopment in the two regions and the world, he went on.

Oliveira expressed his belief that the relationscertainly will be "very positive because of the circumstances are the bestpossible” with the support of the two governments.  

Brazil is Vietnam's largest trade partner in LatinAmerica and Vietnam is Brazil's leading trade partner in Southeast Asia. In2022, the two-way trade hit a record of nearly 6.8 billion USD.

With a book on the life and career of President HoChi Minh, Oliveira won the firstprize at the eighth NationalExternal Information Service Awards. /.