Luanda - The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, on Thursday in Luanda, honoured the former President of the Republic, António Agostinho Neto, by laying a wreath on the sarcophagus of the Founder of the Nation.
The Malagasy Head of State, who is in Luanda on a three-day official visit to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, visited the Dr António Agostinho Neto Memorial (MAAN) and signed the book of honour.
In the book of honour, President Rajoelina expressed his satisfaction at paying tribute to Agostinho Neto, a son of Africa, committed to the liberation and prosperity of the continent.
He said that his legacy continues to inspire current generations and that his work will remain in the annals of history.
He praised the National Hero's ability as a politician, poet, man of culture and cause.
The MAAN is a monument built in honour of Angola's first Head of State and inaugurated in 2012, covering an area of 18 hectares.
It has a central block that includes the sarcophagus, where Agostinho Neto's remains rest, the museum, the exhibition gallery, multi-purpose rooms, administration, library/video library, multimedia library, documentation centre, shops and the hall of authorities, adjacent to the outdoor presidential tribune.
The structure was inspired by Agostinho Neto's poem "The path of the stars".
Andry Rajoelina then went to the Presidential Palace, in the Upper City, where, after being received with military honours, he held a meeting with the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, at the same time as talks were taking place between delegations from the two countries, who were finalising details of the agreements to be signed.
Moments later, João Lourenço and Andry Rajoelina will witness the signing of diplomatic, commercial and economic agreements.
In the afternoon, the Malagasy Head of State will go to the National Assembly, where a special session is scheduled in honour of his visit to Angola.
Rajoelina's first day in Angola will conclude with a visit to the Luanda Refinery to find out how it works.
Cooperation
Last June, during a ministerial meeting held in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, the two countries exchanged notes on the establishment of diplomatic relations and announced the signing of a General Framework Cooperation Agreement.
In the joint communiqué from the meeting, the parties also decided to initial a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations and an Agreement on the abolition of visas in diplomatic and service passports.
They also agreed to exchange high-level official visits and accredit extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors.
The two governments are interested in cooperating in various fields, particularly mineral resources, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and education.
In December 2023, at the inauguration ceremony for the Malagasy Head of State, who was re-elected for a third term, João Lourenço and Andry Rajoelina discussed the need to increase cooperation between the two countries.
Madagascar is an island country located off the south-east coast of the African continent, and a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), like Angola.
The country, with an estimated population of over 28 million, has no land borders and its closest neighbouring countries are Mozambique, the Seychelles, the Comoros and various French possessions in the region.
Close to the bustling capital, Antananarivo, is Ambohimanga, a hillside complex of royal palaces and tombs, as well as the "Avenue of the Baobabs", a dirt road lined with huge centenary trees. ART/DAN/DOJ
