"Yes, for us it is evident that it matters, because Angola has assumed some leadership in matters of peace and security on the African continent. It is a country that is prestigious on the African continent and in 2025 it will be up to the Southern African region to assume this responsibility and I think Angola is very well positioned", said Gomes Cravinho.
The Portuguese ruler was speaking to Lusa at the end of a round of working meetings with his counterparts from Portuguese-speaking African countries and Senegal.
João Gomes Cravinho stressed that the possible presidency of the AU by Angola is of interest to Portugal.
"Naturally, this also opens doors to several elements that are also of interest to Portugal, namely the strengthening of the relationship between the CPLP [Communities of Portuguese Speaking Countries] and the African Union, the strengthening of the Portuguese language and the African Union, which was a of the themes also present in several of my conversations", he said.
"And we are always very pleased when a brotherly country assumes great international responsibilities", he concluded.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, stated, in January, that Angola is a candidate to assume the presidency of the African Union and the seat on the Peace and Security Council in 2025, which is a focus of its actions this year.
The current presidency of the African Union (AU) is held by the Comoros and ends now, with Algeria and Morocco aspiring to hold the rotating presidency of the continental organization in 2024, a decision that should be taken at the summit taking place this weekend.
João Gomes Cravinho left Addis Ababa this Thursday, where for two days he maintained institutional and bilateral contacts and, this Thursday, he participated in the High Level Political Dialogue on Ocean Governance and the Blue Economy, an event co-sponsored by Portugal , Africa-Europe Foundation and the governments of Comoros, the island country that currently presides over the AU, and Seychelles, and which had the support of the African Union Commission.
