Strasbourg - Angolan Head of State João Lourenço has called for a model of cooperation between Africa and European Union which, according to him, contribute in medium and long term to greater supply of jobs and business opportunities for Africa. ,

 

João Lourenço was addressing European Parliament on Wednesday in Strasbourg, France.

 

The Angolan head of State stressed the need to change the paradigm of the cooperation model under the Cotonou (Benin) Agreements between the European Union and the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

 

In his speech, João Lourenço focused on drama of African children, who go to Europe as emigrants due to the armed conflicts, hunger and misery unemployment and lack of prospects for a better future in some countries in the continent.

 

João Lourenço defends a model of cooperation to reverse the current situation.

He spoke of model that help Africa to move from mere exporters of raw materials to producers of manufactured and industrialised products.

 

The president believes that such a model ensures greater  jobs and business opportunities.

 

The statesman said that everyone is responsible for the current situation the African countries experience, characterised by "a climate of internal conflicts, insecurity, economic and financial crises, terrorism, hunger and poverty resulting in successive waves of emigration towards Europe.

 

Describing the situation as shameful for everyone, the president regretted that it is sad and disgusting to see  the saga repeat today, although at a different context.

 

He recalled that the children of Africa were brought into degrading conditions on slave ships to the American continent, about six centuries ago. As slaves, he added, they contributed to the flourishing of large economies.

 

The President also argued that Europe can only benefit if  Africa maintains its children on the continent through labour  supply  and better living conditions.

 

"This is not a mere dream, we can make it a reality should we always discuss the matters on an equal footing, without any complex, but with realism and pragmatism," he said.

 

Also chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, João Lourenço stressed the commitment of the organ to work on initiatives to support the efforts of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS),  and International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

 

According to him, efforts are mainly focused on the peaceful resolution of problems affecting some countries of the region, such as the DRCongo, the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Lesotho and Madagascar.

 

The President spoke of working in cooperation with the sub-regional organisations as well as the African Union and the United Nations, always respecting the national sovereignty of each state, and the norms of international law.

 

As for Africa/EU cooperation, the statesman recalled the fifth summit held in 2017 which addressed, among other issues, peace and security, good governance, democracy and human rights, migration and the mobility of citizens, investment and trade, capacity building and job generation.

 

He reiterated that it is the common African position to change the paradigm of the cooperation model.

 

The European Parliament was created in 1952.

 

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