Macron was speaking at the Presidential Palace, in Luanda, after a meeting with João Lourenço, and in a short statement to the press he evoked the conflict situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo) and the role played by the head of state in seeking a ceasefire with the M23 rebels and in the ongoing negotiations to reach peace.
He also addressed bilateral cooperation in various areas, including education and research, pointing out the agreements that were signed this Friday and others that will be signed over the next few days in the areas of meteorology, reinforcement of defence, training and maritime security.
At the heart of Macron's visit to Angola was also the strengthening of the partnership in agricultural matters, including in the areas of professional training, financing, and veterinary support,
The French President said that he also met with the Minister of State and Chief of Staff of the President, Adão de Almeida, with whom he spoke about this new stage in agricultural production, pointing out areas of interest in agricultural transformation, as part of the food sovereignty strategy. "what we believe for the African continent".
In terms of infrastructure, France continues to be present in Angola, as well as in education, whose most recent project is Escola 42.
Praising the commitment of the Angolan Government to economic diversification, Macron stressed that the signed agreements are important to achieve this goal.
It is also the objective of the French President to "build balanced partnerships" and work with the private sector, developing "a 'Made in Africa' strategy that should become a benchmark", he maintained.
Macron also indicated that the Angolan Government's reforms have improved the business environment, as well as the management of public finances, governance of the financial sector and the implementation of public-private partnerships.
The French head of state also addressed the restitution of works of art, thanking the two sculptures that were returned to the country and that were part of the estate of the Palace of Versailles, considering that Angola is "an exception".
The French President arrived at 11:45 am local time and was received with military honors at the Presidential Palace, took the official photo and went up for a meeting with his counterpart, which lasted about an hour.
During his brief visit to Angola, where he arrived accompanied by around 50 businessmen, Macron participated in the morning at the closing of the Angola-France Business Forum, where a partnership was launched to mobilize companies in the agricultural and agro-industrial area.
The French head of state is now on the next leg of his African tour, after visiting Gabon, traveling to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and arriving this Friday in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), where he ends the trip.
