Angola and Russia will hold a joint intergovernmental commission meeting in April in Luanda to strengthen and expand cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, mining, energy, space industry, and agro-industry, the head of Russian diplomacy announced Wednesday.
“The fields we have in prospect are energies, telecommunications, information technologies, geology and mining, space, and agro-industry. We hope that this commission meeting can be held at the end of April in Luanda,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Lavrov, who was speaking Wednesday in Luanda at the end of talks between the Angolan and Russian delegations, stressed the historical and friendly relations with Angola and recalled the cooperation already existing in the economic, technical, military, and humanitarian fields. He made his statement to the media but no questions were asked.
The launch of the Angolan satellite Angosat 2 last October “allows opening new lines of cooperation not only in the space field but in other areas of technology,” said the Russian official.
He also praised the development of cooperation in the humanitarian sector, especially in the field of training, noting that Russia has decided to double the scholarships it offers Angola, which should increase from 150 to 300 in 2024.
According to the Russian top diplomat, who was speaking next to his Angolan counterpart, Téte António, it was also agreed to accelerate cooperation and sign several bilateral instruments.
The sectors of culture, atomic energy and humanitarian operations are expected to gain new impetus in the bilateral relationship.
The Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, also stressed the importance of the talks with the Russian delegation, noting that they allowed a “frank and friendly dialogue”, where bilateral, regional and international issues were addressed.
“Regarding bilateral issues, we agree that, taking into account the existing dynamics between the two countries and the international atmosphere, we will continue to deepen several aspects addressed today, through the bilateral commission, as well as through dialogue between sectors,” he said.
“We have placed particular emphasis on our preparation in the diamond sector, taking into account the weight of this sector in the national economy and the difficulties that we are encountering today also require innovative solutions,” stressed the Angolan official.
Serguei Lavrov is visiting Angola part of an African tour.