"As we have always done with the victims of other conflicts in Africa, in the Middle East or in other corners of the world, today we also extend our solidarity with the civilian victims of the conflict that is ravaging Ukrainian territory", said João Lourenço, to speak tonight at the banquet at the Cape Verdean Presidential Palace, in Praia, during the state visit he is carrying out to Cape Verde.
Angola maintains historic relations with Russia since the anti-colonial period, even after the disintegration of the USSR, with João Lourenço lamenting the return of the war to the European continent at the official banquet offered by the President of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves.
"The world woke up on February 24th with the resurgence of war in Europe, the continent stage of the two world wars that the planet has known. , which was responsible for 50 million human lives lost, the 'old continent' is once again facing this reality that worries everyone, due to the repercussions it can have, if there is no restraint on the part of those directly involved and world leaders in general ", pointed.
For João Lourenço, "perhaps in recent years there has been an opportunity to dialogue and negotiate to prevent war". However, "since it was not possible to do so before, there is a need, today, to avoid at all costs the escalation of the conflict in order to never reach the point of no return".
"We salute and encourage all world leaders who tirelessly engage in multiple diplomatic contacts in the pursuit of peace and security in Europe. We trust in a neutral and credible international mediation, which is accepted by Russia and Ukraine, and which contributes to reach a definitive ceasefire and the opening of extended negotiations for a lasting peace for the whole European area", said the head of state.
João Lourenço, who started the official three-day program of his visit to Cape Verde, added that "with the energy and food crisis that can be seen worldwide, Angola is open to foreign investment in the oil and gas energy sector", as well as as in the agricultural sector, producing cereals and other exportable food products, "judging by the availability of arable land, good climate and abundant water resources".
On February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine that has already caused at least 564 deaths and more than 982 injuries among the civilian population and caused the flight of around 4.5 million people, including 2.5 million to neighboring countries, according to the latest UN data.
The Russian invasion was condemned by most of the international community, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and reinforcing economic sanctions on Moscow.
