Luanda - The United Kingdom has said it intends to create a strategic diplomatic and economic development partnership with Angola, for the well-being of the two peoples.
This was expressed to the press in Luanda by the British Minister for Africa, Collins Highbury, following an audience with Angolan president, João Lourenço.
The British official, who started a four-day working visit to Angola on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation, said he talked with the Angolan president about specific projects, with emphasis on the Lobito Corridor.
Collins Highbury said he talked about ways to expand economic activity and that these are investments that will support the development of infrastructure to create economic opportunities for the people of that region.
Another issue at the center of the dialogue, Highbury said, was the ceasefire recently reached between the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, under the mediation of the Angolan government.
Collins de Highbury congratulated the Angolan statesman for his efforts in the quest for peace, stability and security in the east of the DRC, where an armed conflict has plagued the region since 2021 between the Congolese army and the March 23 Movement, which allegedly has the support of Rwanda.
For the minister, the issue of the conflict in the DRC is not an easy one. “It's a very difficult task, but good steps have already been taken,” he said.
Bilateral cooperation
The two countries have a strong economic partnership, especially in the oil sector, where British Petroleum (BP) is one of the largest foreign investors in Angola, with more than 30 billion dollars invested by the end of 2018.
Operator of blocks 18 and 31, BP achieved total net production of 115,000 barrels of oil per day in 2019.
In March 2009, the British government reopened its credit line for exports with Angola, worth up to 70 million dollars, for entirely private investments.
As part of the diversification of Angola's economy, the UK is a potential partner in the agricultural, energy, infrastructure, health and financial services sectors.AFL/ART/AMP
