Francesca di Mauro, who spoke to journalists after signing an agreement to finance cooperation programmes in Angola worth 23 million euros, stressed that "EU-Angola cooperation is excellent and is on the rise".
Africa in general, he continued, "is a major priority for the European Union and the new commission led by Ursula von der Leyen", and a new strategy for Africa is currently being prepared and will be discussed with African countries.
The European official said that 2020 is a "very important" year for Africa, with high-level meetings like the EU-African Union summit at the end of the year and Angola "has a very important role in this strategic discussion".
Through the programmes signed this Friday (aimed at supporting agricultural production and strengthening the participation of civil society), the EU wants to "very clearly support the reform agenda of this Government," in terms of economic reforms and diversification of the economy.
"Until now the Angolan economy has been very focused on oil," and inclusive growth and job creation have been in the background, so "we need to change," he said.
The cooperation programme is also linked to another of the major priorities for the European Union, "which is also global": climate change, which affects African countries in a particularly negative way.
In addition to economic reforms, the EU also supports public finance reforms to support Angola in attracting investment.
"We want to support Angola to attract investors, whether local or foreign, as long as they respect Angolan law and promote inclusive growth," said Francesca di Mauro, also welcoming the reforms to combat corruption.
With regard to civil society, she stressed that it is part of the European strategy to support these organisations in any country for their counterbalancing function.
For the European Director, civil society must monitor the government and must be able to be constructive by proposing improvements in government action.
This is the aim of one of the signed programmes that will also prepare for the local elections planned for this year, with particular attention to the participation of young people and women.
