Luanda - Angola and Kenya have expressed their commitment to consolidate partnership in areas of common interest, Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António said Wednesday in Luanda.
The minister made the statement to the press at the end of a visit to Angola by Kenyan President William Ruto, who met with his counterpart João Lourenço to assess bilateral cooperation and issues of regional interest, with a focus on security and stability in the Great Lakes region.
According to Téte António, the Kenyan statesman's visit to Angola signals that consultation and good relations are enduring indicators. "We have once again consolidated this relationship, which is already excellent," said the Minister.
The Angolan minister recalled that in October 2023, President João Lourenço made his first state visit to Kenya, which resulted in the signing of several agreements between the two countries.
Tete Antonio added that the conversation between the two statesmen focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, boosted by the signed agreements and with the prospect of further developing this relationship.
Angola's presidency of the African Union
The two leaders also discussed Angola's assumption of the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU), the continental organization's highest body, in February.
"This is the first time that Angola will lead the highest body of the African Union, a fact that coincides with the year in which the country celebrates 50 years of independence," Antonio said.
Minister Téte António said the principle of subsidiarity is crucial, given that the Kenyan Head of State is also the President of the Community of East African States.
The Angolan minister noted that Angola's concerns are the same as Kenya's, pointing out that there has always been a concerted effort between the Nairobi and Luanda processes to find solutions to the conflicts in the Great Lakes region.
Téte António described the Kenyan President's visit to Angola as "very productive", despite its brevity, and expressed confidence in the future of relations between the two countries.
Bilateral cooperation
Relations between Angola and Kenya have consolidated in recent years, with both countries sharing common objectives of sustainable development and strengthening historical ties.
Angola and Kenya have strengthened cooperation in strategic areas such as the economy, energy and diplomacy, promoting bilateral development.
Kenya, with a population of about 45 million and an economy mainly based on agriculture and the export of products such as tea and coffee, remains a strategic partner for Angola in the African context. DC/SC/AMP
