Angola’s President João Lourenço calls for stronger EU-Africa cooperation

EU-Angola relations and cooperation, development, migration and promoting stability, growth and jobs on the African continent were among the issues addressed during Mr João Lourenço’s first official visit to the European Parliament.

The President of Angola stressed the need to address common challenges together, such as migration, calling for closer cooperation to help African countries to develop, create jobs and business opportunities.

Angola is determined to enhance democracy, to open up to the world and to investments, Mr Lourenço said. Africa and Europe will only stand to gain if African people can stay, live and work on their continent, he told MEPs.

“The EU must strengthen its action in Angola and, more in general, in Africa,’’ said European Parliament President, Antonio Tajani, following the meeting with the President of Angola. Mr Tajani reiterated the need for a comprehensive Marshall Plan for Africa to help mobilise investments.

The video recording of the formal sitting is available here.

 Background

Angola’s partnership with the EU is based on the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Negotiations to renew this agreement, which expires in February 2020, are due to begin in August 2018.

Angola currently chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

Mr Lourenço succeeded former President José Eduardo dos Santos, who had ruled Angola for 38 years, on 26 September 2017.