Luanda, ANGOLA, February 1 - Angola and Spain analysed Thursday issues related to the strengthening of bilateral relations in the fields of agriculture, tourism, fisheries, higher education and oil. ,

 

This was at a meeting held Thursday in Luanda that gathered the two countries'  delegations of Foreign Affairs.

 

The information was released to the press by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, Ildefonso Castro López, who is in Luanda on a two-day visit to Angola as part of the political consultations between the two countries.

 

Ildefonso Castro López expressed his country’s interest in increasing trade with Angola and participating in the diversification of economy.

 

He said that the bilateral relations entered a new paradigm with the visit by the Angolan head of State, João Lourenço, to Spain in 2017.

 

João Lourenço, who previously held the position of  Minister of Defence, outlined the strategies for reinforcement of relations.

 

The official stressed the importance of trading partnership between the countries based on the acquisition of the oil.

 

The diplomat defended the need for Angola to diversify its economy so that the trade can be extended to the field of agriculture and fisheries.

 

On the other hand, he announced the intention of the Spanish head of government to visit Angola between March and April this year.

 

In a joint communiqué distributed to the press, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and admitted the possibility of official visits at the highest level this year.

 

The delegations also discussed regional issues, such as maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea, Brexit and the challenges of the European Union.

 

The parties also focused on global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation at the United Nations level.

 

The Angolan delegation was headed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Tete António, who praised the degree of bilateral relations.

 

Still on Thursday, the Spanish diplomat was received in audience by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Augusto.

 

Ildefonso Castro López has also scheduled a meeting with the Angolan Finance Minister, Archer Mangueira, with whom he will address issues of strengthening financial cooperation between the two countries.

 

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