Pretoria, ANGOLA, November 24 - President João Lourenço Friday in Pretoria, South Africa, considered visa suppression as path to effective regional integration. ,

Addressing the opening of official talks on the occasion of his State visit to South Africa since Thursday, president João Lourenço said the relations of friendship and solidarity between the two countries are now faced with new challenges, especially in the economic and social spheres.

He on the occasion called for a combination of efforts to develop and consolidate the respective economies and embark on a more and more effective economic integration, favouring the free circulation of people of goods and trade between Angola and South Africa.

According to João Lourenço, the suppression of visa for citizens from both countries could be an important move in this direction.

However, the Angolan president spoke of the need for a gradual process of integration at bilateral level.

He stated that based on their level of development and potential, Angola and South Africa have added responsibilities in leading the regional integration process and should act , within the framework of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), as the propelling engine of a new dynamic in regional cooperation.

The Angolan head of State stressed that integration has the political purpose of reinforcing the relations of security, peace and good neighbourhood among the countries involved and could be an example for other regions of the continent permanently troubled by conflicts.

Angola must learn from South Africa the process of transformation of a parallel and informal economy in which the companies are duly audited and rated in stock markets, he stressed, adding that this would ensure greater gains and transparency in the management of public assets.

In his turn, the South African president, Jacob Zuma, hailed his Angolan counterpart for the reforms he has been conducting in the country and reaffirmed his will to have bilateral relations reinforced.

Zuma urged support for the private sector’s investments in projects to develop the economies of Angola and South Africa in such sectors as agriculture, mining, science, technology, eneergy, infrastructure, tourism and others.

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