Africa-Press – Angola. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, traveled to Cuba on Wednesday for an official visit at the invitation of her counterpart, Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, with the aim of strengthening parliamentary cooperation.
The Speaker leads a delegation composed of deputies Manuel Dembo, Carla de Sousa, Helena Marciano, Alcides Sakala, Benedito Daniel, and the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Pedro Agostinho de Neri.
“This trip aims to consolidate the historic friendship between Angola and Cuba and promote a deeper dialogue between our parliaments,” said the First Secretary of the National Assembly, Manuel Dembo, emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries has been fruitful and strategic for several decades.
Strengthening cooperation protocol and new agreements
The delegations will review the cooperation protocol signed in July 2012, which defines the areas for exchanging experiences and establishes mechanisms to strengthen institutional relations between the parliaments.
Bilateral meetings to deepen parliamentary diplomacy, strengthen Angola-Cuba friendship groups, and evaluate ways to strengthen the technical and administrative capacity of both houses of Congress are also part of the agenda.
“Angola and Cuba have a relationship that goes beyond the political realm. Cuba was present in the fight for our independence and has played an important role in training Angolan professionals,” Dembo said, emphasizing that this visit seeks to re-launch the foundations for a more robust future of cooperation.
Cultural and community meetings on the agenda
In addition to political meetings, Carolina Cerqueira has scheduled visits to historical and cultural sites, including the Fidel Castro Center, the Biotechnology Center, the headquarters of the National Ballet of Cuba, and the Monument to National Hero José Martí.
On Sunday, the president will also meet with the Angolan community living in Cuba, an initiative aimed at strengthening ties with the diaspora and promoting greater citizen involvement in the country’s development.
Historical relationship between Angola and Cuba
The visit takes place as part of the celebration of Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence and reinforces a historic connection marked by military, educational, cultural, and technological cooperation.
Cuba was one of the first countries to support Angola during the national liberation struggle and currently maintains strategic partnerships in areas such as health, education, and personnel training.
In February 2024, during Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández’s official visit to Luanda, the two delegations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening institutional dialogue and signing new cooperation agreements, paving the way for the meeting now taking place in Havana.
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