The biometric passport is required worldwide and therefore the government is obliged to introduce this passport into the country. Failure to do so may jeopardise the movement of citizens to other countries.
The official, who spoke about the document in the III Commission of the National Assembly for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Angolan Communities Abroad, when questioned by parliamentarians about complaints from other countries about the lack of identification of Angolan citizens abroad, explained that many present false documentation.
However, he pointed out that the EMS together with the Civil Identification and Archives Directorate have been taking action to verify that the documents presented are false. According to Angop, these actions have been analysing cases coming mainly from Europe, especially Germany, France and Belgium.
José António da Costa Dias revealed that a package of measures is being prepared to combat border control problems and illegal immigration, guaranteeing the security and stability of the country. Some of the measures to be adopted include greater rigour in issuing migratory documents, encouraging SME staff, improving the management and organisation of surveillance teams and guaranteeing international protection for citizens in need.
He stressed the need to strengthen the EMS's resources to combat illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings.
The biometric passport is a document that includes personal data, fingerprints, a digital image, an identification number and a digital signature, thus making it impossible for travellers to falsify this document.
