Africa-Press – Angola. The Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, advocated, this Wednesday, in Luanda, that the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) intensify the debate on development , with emphasis on economic partnership agreements.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 1st Joint Parliamentary Plenary Session of the OEACP-EU, he maintained that Economic Partnership agreements constitute a lever for technological development, transformation of food systems, increased trade and promotion of the blue economy and sustainable development.
Esperança da Costa hopes that the 1st OEACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Session, which he considered historic, will reflect on the challenges of ratifying the New OEACP-EU Partnership by all Member States “as a collective determination to contribute together to a world of greater justice climate change, more equity, more development, more sustainable generations with peace and progress”.
He made it known that Angola’s willingness to host this 1st Session of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly (OEACP-EU) and 147th Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIP) “is quite demonstrative of the respect and importance we give to national parliaments and the partnerships that are established among themselves.”
Esperança da Costa, who spoke on behalf of President João Lourenço, recognized that the OEACP has sought, throughout its existence, to adapt to the new challenges of globalization, in favor of strengthening democracy and good governance, defending human rights and gender equality, environmental protection and sustainable development.
For him, the 1st Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the OEACP-EU, in addition to constituting another space to address issues of common concern, is also “the result of the path we have been following together, as intended by the Samoa Agreement”.
The Samoa Agreement, celebrated in November 2023, establishes the global legal framework, over the next twenty years, for the European Union’s relations with the 79 countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, covering around one and a half thousand people.
Strengthening multilateral diplomacy
Before the legislators of the OEACP-EU, the Vice-President of the Republic pointed out that the current international context requires governments to reinforce multilateral diplomacy and deepen the basic principles of democratic States and the rule of law, as well as respect for fundamental principles established in the Charter of the United Nations.
He reported that, from the 1975 Lomé Convention, through the 2000 Cotonou Agreement to the 2023 Samoa Agreement, the organization has sought to develop comprehensive economic cooperation, which can only find fertile ground in countries with political stability, security and a strong culture of Peace.
Esperança da Costa noted that peace represents a true vector for economic and social development and the progress of countries.
By the way, he emphasized that Angola has achieved peace, national reconciliation, political stability and continues to fight for the preservation of peace.
He highlighted, in this regard, the fact that President João Lourenço was designated, on May 28, 2022, by the African Union, “Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa”, for his contribution to prevention, management and peaceful resolution prevailing conflicts, particularly in the Great Lakes Region.
Esperança da Costa highlighted the fact that, at the last meeting of the African Union, held from the 17th to the 18th of this month in Addis Ababa, Angola assumed the Vice-Presidency of the continental organization and currently presides over the Southern African Development Community (SADC ).
“In these tribunes, we want to continue to develop efforts for dialogue, to promote a culture of peace, in order to guarantee and preserve stability and eliminate terrorism and unconstitutional governmental changes”, he expressed.
He made it known that Angola maintains cordial diplomatic relations with other countries and seeks to establish mutually advantageous relations, respect for sovereign equality and the territorial integrity of States.
He said it was based on this spirit that, in December 2022, the country hosted the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, during which he assumed the Presidency of the Organization and, in this quality, reaffirmed its guiding principles and objectives.
The Vice-President of the Republic also referred to the holding, in the Angolan capital, of the 2023 Biennial – Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-violence, promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts and encouraging cultural exchange in Africa, environmental protection and intergenerational dialogue.
Economic growth
Esperança da Costa indicated that, despite adverse conditions at the international and national level, Angola is determined to continue its journey towards growth and economic development, through the adoption of measures to stimulate the promotion of national production, greater access to credit for the business sector, the simplification and improvement of the business environment, economic transformation and modernization.
According to the governor, the fight against poverty, basic social protection and the inclusion of social groups in vulnerable situations have received the attention of the Executive, in compliance with the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Objectives and Targets, within the framework commitment to “leave no one behind”.
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