"Angola and Portugal are in positions where they can make a difference in global problems, but in order to address these issues together we need to strengthen the bilateral relationship, with more political dialogue between governments, making the meetings more frequent and regular, and synchronizing multilateral consultation at the United Nations or our regional and community institutions," said the minister.
Speaking at the opening session of the Diplomatic Seminar, which takes place this Monday and Tuesday at the Museu do Oriente in Lisbon, Manuel Augusto highlighted the "excellent level of bilateral relations" between the two countries and reinforced the idea that Angola is a different country, open for business and eager for international investment.
"Angola is a country of unique opportunities for Portugal, for the Portuguese business community, for the Portuguese worker, for the Portuguese specialist," the minister said, adding: "Portugal is in a privileged situation to join the efforts of angolans in the desire to very quickly transform their way of life because we have sufficient resources to improve the life of our people and still contribute to the development of our continent.
In the speech, Manuel Augusto defended that Africa must stop "being an inert body on which vultures peck", arguing that this "continent of opportunities" must be seen as a partner.
"Angola needs serious, friendly, non-paternalistic, dynamic cooperation, and we will all win," he said, emphasizing that "from the beginning, the government of João Lourenço has spared no effort to pass this message to the world, there is a new Angola to explore and collaborate on the basis of mutual respect.
Angola, he promised, "has doors open to Portugal and is eager to raise and improve the level of cooperation, because it is possible and because Portugal, beyond its own capacity, can put at the service of Angola its multiple connections in the international context; we count on you and we want you to count on us," concluded the ruler.
