Luanda - Angola and Venezuela analyzed Thursday in Luanda issues to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various areas, especially energy, education, trade, mining, science and technology, electoral process and tourism.
This was discussed during the first meeting of the political consultation mechanism between the two countries, in the presence of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Esmeralda Mendonça, and the Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa, Yuri Pimentel.
During the meeting, the Angolan diplomat recalled the 40th anniversary of the establishment of political-diplomatic relations between the two states, to be celebrated next year, which reflects the mutual importance of the moment.
The Angolan diplomat cited the visit of the former President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, to Angola in August 2006 as the most important milestone, and the fact that the two countries signed a Memorandum of Political Consultations in April 2009, stressing that Thursday's meeting gives substance to this important legal instrument for cooperation.
Esmeralda Mendonça said she expected the political consultations to influence other meetings, as well as regular contacts at the level of representatives in international organizations to which Angola and Venezuela are parties.
We know that diplomatic contacts are underway to hold the first meeting of the Bilateral Commission and we hope that it will take place as soon as possible to review the main aspects of our cooperation," she said.
Esmeralda Mendonça took the opportunity to congratulate the Venezuelan people on the holding of the July 2024 elections, especially President Nicolás Maduro on his re-election to office.
The diplomat said she expected the two countries to continue their efforts to strengthen the friendly and cooperative ties that characterize their relations, since Angola and Venezuela have potential that can be exploited for mutual benefit.
For his part, the Venezuelan Deputy Minister, Yuri Pimentel, emphasized that this meeting would strengthen the historical ties that bind the two countries, forged in the fight against colonialism and injustice.
The diplomat congratulated Angola on its presidency of the African Union for the year 2025, stressing that it is a fair recognition of its leadership on the African continent, having reaffirmed the desire to deepen relations based on the principles of goodwill and respect between brotherly countries.
Cooperation Angola and Venezuela established diplomatic relations in December 1986, which to this day are based on ties of friendship, common interests in the framework of South-South cooperation and cooperation agreements in various sectors.
Since then, cooperation has made remarkable progress, particularly in the energy sector, where Venezuela's vast experience in the oil industry has established it as an important partner for Angola.
Strengthening trade and technical and scientific cooperation are some of the areas that could see significant progress in the near future, as a result of consultations between the two governments.
In February 2023, the two countries signed a general agreement on economic, commercial, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation to deepen bilateral relations. FMA/VIC/DAN/AMP
