Luanda - Angolan Head of State João Lourenço highlighted Monday the solidarity and help provided by the Cuban authorities when the forces of apartheid regime in South Africa invaded Angola.
João Lorenço was speaking to journalists at the end of the signing of legal instruments between the governments of Angola and Cuba.
According to him, the Cuban forces, along with the Angolan troops, managed to counter overseas threats in Angolan territory, thus guaranteeing the independence and maintenance of Angola's sovereignty.
The president said that the Cubans' solidarity with the Angolan people was extensive and "opened the doors" for the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Namibia and the constitution of the first democratically elected black government in South Africa.
According to João Lourenço, Cuba's "friendly hand" towards Angola also extended to the economy, staff training, medical assistance, civil construction, sports, among other areas.
However, the Angolan statesman also referred to the training many Angolans received in Cuba and who currently hold important positions in the country.
As part of the State visit of the Cuban President, Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the governments of Angola and Cuba signed Monday three legal instruments, with a focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Memorandums of Understanding were signed on Tourism sector, as well as between the Medicines Regulatory Agency (ARMED) and the State Control Center for Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices of Cuba.
The two States also signed Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion of investments between the Luanda/Bengo Special Economic Zone development society and the Mariel Office.
The documents were signed in the presence of the Angolan Heads of State João Lourenço and the Cuban Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Signed for Angola were Minister of Culture and Tourism Filipe Zau, the director of the Medicines Regulatory Agency Katila Mangueira and the CEO of the Special Economic Zone Manuel Francisco Pedro.
While the Cuban Ambassador to Angola Esther Gloria Armenteros Cárdenas signed the three diplomas for her country.
The two countries maintain excellent cooperation relations in various fields, such as security, education, health, transport, public works, construction, oil, sports, culture, tourism and agriculture.
Angola and Cuba established diplomatic relations on 15 November 1975, four days after Angolan independence. AFL/OHA/ADR/NIC
