Luanda – Angola’s minister of State for Economic Coordination Manuel Nunes Junior has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Forum Macao as a platform to boost and strengthen economic and trade relations between China and the Portuguese-Speaking African Countries (PALOP).
The Angolan official made the statement at the opening ceremony of the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the China/PALOP Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation, held via videoconference.
Manuel Nunes Júnior said that the Forum Macau has been promoting actions aimed at training human resources, funding the construction of infrastructure and increasing production capacity of member countries.
The platform has produced significant successes, the Angolan minister said, adding that it has allowed cultural interchange and the promotion of tourism and bilateral assistance mechanisms since October 2003 when it was created.
The Angolan official reaffirmed the interest of the southern African nation in doing everything for the success of Forum, highlighting the reforms for the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, the establishment of a market economy capable of diversifying the Angolan economy, reduce dependence on oil and ensuring the prosperity and well-being of the Angolan people.
In turn, the Head of the Chinese Government spoke of the proposals in relation to the strengthening of the relationship between China and CPLP and appealed to all the States to defend peace and stability in favour of development and prosperity.
He also called for consolidation of solidarity and cooperation to overcome the pandemic as soon as possible and thus boost the resumption of economic activity.
After the opening ceremony the eight PALOP countries congratulated Macao Forum role and the significant results it achieved.
The ministers signed the Joint Declaration of the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting and issued the Declaration on the approval of the official inclusion of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to Forum Macau, as the 10th member country.
Forum Macau organizes a Ministerial Conference every three years.
