BRUSSELS  - BNP Paribas believes its decision to purchase 75 percent of the banking arm of Fortis is "a big message of confidence" in the Belgian bank, BNP's chief executive said on Sunday.

"It is a big message of confidence in Fortis. Fortis has a formidable business base. It has numerous and very good clients and very professional staff," CEO Baudouin Prot told reporters.

The French bank will buy 75 percent of the troubled Belgian bank as part of a deal in which Belgium will receive new shares in BNP Paribas.