Luanda - The Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) on Monday congratulated Portugal and Mozambique for the entry into force of the amendments of the Law on Foreigners and the measures aimed at its implementation.
The information is part of the final communiqué of the 16th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the CPLP, held Monday in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
In the statement, the ministers considered it "an enormous step" the approval of the CPLP Mobility Agreement by the 13th Conference of Heads of State and Government, as well as its ratification by all member states.
It adds that the ministers encouraged dialogue among member states, with a view to the possible conclusion of additional partnership instruments under the terms of the Agreement and the principle of variable flexibility enshrined in it.
The new regulation of the Law on Foreigners in Portugal, approved in 2022, allows for the speeding up and flexibility of visa and residence permit applications, with a simplified regime for students and entrepreneurial immigrants.
It allows for residence permits, with a simplified regime for seasonal workers and introduces a new regime for workers transferred from other Member States.
The statement adds that the Member States of the CPLP encouraged Angola to continue with mediation efforts for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR) and welcomed the deployment of a military contingent to support peace operations in that African country.
The communiqué also expressed regret and solidarity with the victims of cyclone Freddy that hit Mozambique and neighbouring countries.
The meeting also expressed solidarity with the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey, an observer country associated with the CPLP, and Syria.
The ministers reiterated "deep concern" over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, having called for an immediate end to the conflict and resumption of the path of peace and peaceful relations between the two States, under the principles of international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The communiqué expresses "appreciation for the Black Sea Cereals Initiative promoted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, which has made it possible to mitigate the harmful effects of the conflict on food insecurity and the rise in the prices of essential goods".
The 16th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries was attended by representatives from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor.
The meeting was led by the Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, in his capacity as Acting Chairman of the Council of Ministers and host of the meeting.
