Luanda, ANGOLA, February 7 - The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, said Thursday in Luanda that his country and the European Union rely on Angola's dialogue on strengthening stability and security in Southern Africa and the Great Lakes Region.,

For the Italian Head of State, who was  speaking at a solemn session in the National Assembly, the path of reconciliation and peace that Angola has been able to provide can be a driving force for the development of neighboring countries.

 

In this wake, he emphasized the commitment of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, to strengthen relations with Italy and the European Union, as well as to set an agenda for reforms, the value of legality, innovation and social cohesion.

 

The Italian President was the first European statesman to address the National Assembly since the inauguration of João Lourenço as Angolan Head of State in September 2017.

 

On the occasion, the Italian President also highlighted the efforts made by Angolan politicians, having overcome decades of antagonism and civil war.

 

In the bilateral context, he emphasized the intense relationship between the two countries, which Sergio Mattarella sees as an example for the dialogue that Italy wishes to establish with the African States.

 

He valued the partnership between the entrepreneurs of his country and the Angolan institutions, considering it a development model focused on growth, exchange and reciprocal knowledge.

 

"The friendship with the Angolan people was achieved through interventions by the Italian cooperation structures (public and private)," said the statesman, who paid a three-day official visit to Angola.

 

The Italian statesman, who left Luanda this Thursday, considered strategic the location of the Angolan capital in the links between Europe, Africa and Asia.

 

Highlights of Angolan culture and Neto poetry.

 

During his speech in the Angolan parliament, Sergio Mattarella was very applauded by the deputies. The Italian politician and jurist emphasized cultural aspects of Angola, highlighting the role of Agostinho Neto, the first President of Angola, and his poetic work, as well as other writers.

 

"This is the time for us to march boldly into the world of all men," said the poet, Agostinho Neto.

 

Angola and Italy have cooperative relations since 1977, when they signed a Memorandum establishing the Bilateral Commission, then the Joint Commission for Cooperation, followed by the signing of other legal instruments.

 

These legal instruments include, inter alia, defense and international security, collaboration in humanitarian operations and support for peace, demining, and medical and medical assistance.

 

Angola is currently the third largest trading partner of sub-Saharan Africa in Italy. In 2013, the total value of trade between the two countries amounted to 891 million Euros, with 348 million Euros made through Italian exports.

 

Italy was the first Western European country to recognize Angola's independence on February 18, 1976.

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