Africa-Press – Angola. Angola Head of State João Lourenço received a message from King Philip VI of Spain in Luanda on Monday, whose content aims to strengthen friendship ties and cooperation between the two countries.
The message was delivered by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Angola, Manuel María Lejarreta Lobo, during an audience with President João Lourenço.
The meeting sought to discuss economic and cultural cooperation projects, as well as preparations for the upcoming African Union-European Union Summit, scheduled for November in the Angolan capital.
Speaking to the press at the end of the meeting, the diplomat spoke of the personal and confidential nature of the letter, emphasizing, however, that it expresses a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral relations between Angola and Spain.
“The main reason for the meeting was the delivery of a letter from His Majesty King Philip VI to President João Lourenço. It was a personal letter, and that’s why I had to come here to deliver it directly,” the ambassador stated.
According to Manuel María Lejarreta Lobo, after the message was delivered, the meeting also allowed for discussion of several topics of common interest, notably the conference on development financing held in Spain at the end of June.
The diplomat highlighted the alignment of positions between Angola, the African Union, and Spain.
“Relations between Angola and Spain are very good; they have been developing positively over the years,” the ambassador emphasized, reinforcing the existence of an ongoing and fruitful dialogue between the two governments.
Bilateral Cooperation Relations
Angola and the Kingdom of Spain maintain relations of friendship and cooperation marked by continuous and mutually beneficial growth, supported by diplomatic, economic, cultural, and institutional ties consolidated over recent decades.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established after Angola’s independence in 1975. Since then, both countries have maintained full diplomatic representation, with the Spanish Embassy in Luanda and the Angolan Embassy in Madrid, signaling their commitment to a solid and stable partnership.
In the political sphere, Angola and Spain promote regular bilateral dialogue, with emphasis on high-level visits and exchanges between government representatives and heads of state.
Spain considers Angola a strategic partner in Africa, particularly in the Southern African region, while the Angolan government recognizes Madrid’s role in the country’s reconstruction and institutional development.
Spain is among Angola’s most prominent European partners, the country exports to the Spanish market are led by crude oil, while the European nation exports machinery, pharmaceuticals, food, and construction materials.
Spanish companies operate in various sectors in Angola, including energy, construction, fishing, tourism, and infrastructure.
Educational and cultural cooperation is also a significant pillar of the bilateral relationship. Existing agreements provide for academic exchanges, scholarships, and the promotion of the Spanish language in Angola.
Initiatives such as film festivals, exhibitions, and university partnerships contribute to strengthening cultural ties between the two peoples.
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) has implemented several programs in Angola, focusing on health, education, water and sanitation, and the promotion of gender equality. Several community-based projects, particularly in rural areas, benefit from Spanish funding.
The two countries also cooperate in the area ofsecurity and combating transnational crime, with joint training and capacity-building initiatives for security forces in the fight against drug trafficking, illegal immigration, piracy, and international terrorism.
Angola and Spain reiterate their mutual interest in continuing to strengthen existing ties, promoting diversified and sustained cooperation for the sake of peace, security, and shared prosperity.
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