The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Luanda, by the Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, and by the Italian Minister of Energy Transition, Roberto Cingolani, who replaced the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, after he announced the cancellation of the trip for testing positive for covid-19.
After signing the documents, the heads of diplomacy of the two countries highlighted the importance of this step, in the context of energy cooperation.
Luigi di Maio, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, highlighted his government's commitment to diversifying energy supply sources and reducing dependence on Russia, so he hopes to have more Angolan gas and develop decarbonization projects. with Angolan partners.
He highlighted Italian cooperation with Angola, including in the field of the COVAX initiative to combat covid-19, but noted that he also hopes to promote trade relations and attract more Italian companies to Angola that can help diversify economic activity, in line with the strategies of the Angolan executive.
The Italian official also addressed the effects of Russian aggression on the food security of the African continent, which he said was seriously compromised, especially with regard to the supply of wheat.
"The devastating effects of this conflict touch everyone," he underlined.
His Angolan counterpart, Téte António, also recognized the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the international community.
"Respecting the sovereign position of each of the States, we look at a common denominator that are the consequences of the conflict" that are "multifaceted" and on which cooperation must be "focused" so that the crisis situation does not worsen, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He added that a business forum will be held to "deepen the relationship" and facilitate the exchange of experiences with Italian and Angolan companies.
Italy has Angola as its third partner in Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria, and has been encouraging Italian investment in the country, where it is currently present mainly in the oil sector, through Eni.
Italy, which imports around 95 percent of the gas it consumes, is one of the European countries most dependent on Russian gas, which accounts for 45 percent of its gas imports.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions imposed on Moscow, the Italian government launched a vast diplomatic offensive to diversify its energy sources.
