MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Angola approves wide-ranging cooperation agreement with Brazil

Oil rich Angola already has very close ties with Brazil

Angola’s National Assembly approved this week the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership with Brazil, as well as the draft resolution on Cooperation between the two countries in defence domain.

Both documents were approved unanimously during the 12th plenary session of the parliament, led by its speaker, António Paulo Kassoma.

During the presentation of the strategic partnership, the Foreign Affairs Secretary of State for Political Matters, Manuel Augusto said that this tool will boost bilateral and international concerted actions, diversification of the areas and means of cooperation, sustainable development, environmental preservation and exchanges of scientific and technological know-how.

Cooperation will also focus on training and capacity building of staff, know-how and technology transfer, the creation of partnerships between public and private sectors, as well as investments aimed at mutual and complementary growth of the respective economies and further development of both peoples.

Regarding the Agreement on Cooperation in Defence Field between Angola and Brazil, Manuel Augusto said that the partnership establishes a mutually win-win range of actions, covering areas such as defence, polity, teaching and instruction, military intelligence, military equipment and systems, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations, search and rescue operations, among others.

The agreement also expects the training of military and technical personnel, implementation and development of programmes and projects for the application of defence technologies, conduction of scientific research and promotion of military training activities.

Angola a former Portuguese colony has become one of the most promising oil producing countries in the world and its economy is growing at double digit rates.