"Diplomacy has to be based on an organized and functional house in order to have results out there," he said in statements to journalists after the formal act of passing portfolios with his predecessor, Manuel Augusto.
"We are aware that we will not inherit the world we had before covid-19, it will be a transformed world and Angolan diplomacy will have to adapt to this world as well," he said.
A "transformed world" that does not only concern oil producers, although this sector "worries a lot" Angola, taking into account that it is the basis of its economy.
About the approximately four thousand Angolans who are still abroad, after Angola closed its borders to contain the pandemic, on 20 March, he reaffirmed that the government "is closely following the citizens, taking care of all circumstances" that surround covid-19.
"In this crisis we cannot have 'standard' models in solving the problems", he said.
"We are watching the situation," he said, but without clarifying whether there will be new flights to bring Angolan citizens back to the country.
In his speech, he left words of thanks to Manuel Augusto - of whom he was, before, Secretary of State - who said he had contributed to "placing and consolidating Angola's position at a high level in the international arena" and asked the ministry's officials to continue to perform in the same way their work "for the maintenance of the flag and good name of the Republic of Angola".
The outgoing minister, in turn, said he left with the feeling of duty fulfilled, having done his "part in this relay race", which he considered to be the one that best fits the spirit of a public servant.
The resignation of Manuel Augusto was known last Monday through a note released by the Civil House of the President of the Republic, giving an account of the new ruling cast after the reduction in the number of ministries from 28 to 21.
