Algiers (VNA) – Cherfaoui Tayeb, Chairman of the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association (AVFA) and a military veteran, has hailed Vietnam as a revolutionary example, with the Dien Bien Phu Victory as a crucial military art and a source of inspirations for national liberation movements in Africa.
In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident reporter in Algiers on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, Tayeb highlighted Vietnam's revolutionary spirit and strategic brilliance and the Dien Bien Phu campaign's profound impact on Africa's fight for independence, particularly Algeria's own struggle against colonial rule.
The Dien Bien Phu Victory marked the dawn of independence for most African nations, serving as a starting point for liberation movements across the continent to break free from the colonial rule of France, the UK and Germany, he said.
He recounted witnessing the influence of Vietnam's struggle firsthand while living in France. "Algeria's national liberation front was established right there in France," Tayeb explained, "and I saw how the Vietnamese fighting inspired our own movement”.
Tayeb further revealed that Algerian soldiers deserted the French army to join forces with the Vietnamese people. Upon returning to Algeria, they brought invaluable combat experiences gained alongside the Vietnamese army and engaged in Algeria's liberation efforts.
President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap were revered heroes in Algeria, Tayeb stressed, adding that they were brilliant military strategists whose leadership serves as a shining example not only for Algeria but for the entire world. They proved that anything is achievable with a determination and strategy.
Looking beyond the historical significance of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, he commended Vietnam's continued progress, saying that Vietnam has not stopped moving forward since its victory. The country is experiencing remarkable development and has established strong economic ties with the US and many other nations across the world.
Tayeb said the AVFA and successful Algerian entrepreneurs have enjoyed collaborative relations with reliable Vietnamese partners. They established Algeria-Vietnam companies in Hanoi, capitalising on Vietnam's strengths in sectors like construction.
Envisioning even closer cooperation between the two countries, he said there is immense potential for collaboration in construction, fisheries and aquaculture, food processing, and agriculture.
The establishment of an Algeria-Vietnam bank and the connectivity of air and sea trade routes would be crucial steps in deploying future projects, he said./.
