João Lourenço, who was speaking to the press, together with his Mozambican counterpart, Daniel Chapo, at the end of the signing ceremony of five agreements between the two countries, said that a Technical Committee should monitor the implementation of these legal instruments signed this Friday, in the areas of transport, culture, social action and tourism.
“We will try to put the understandings we have reached into practice and make them a reality. We really need to move forward, to make progress, with the implementation of the understandings that the two countries have reached”, he said.
The head of state accepted the invitation from his Mozambican counterpart for an official visit to that country, with a date to be negotiated between the diplomatic services of both States.
In a speech in which he essentially highlighted the brotherhood between the two countries, João Lourenço recalled the difficult times that Angola and Mozambique have faced, from the fight for independence to the various armed conflicts.
“We have in common the fact that we both took up arms to restore the dignity of our two peoples”, stressed the Head of State, highlighting that the two countries are celebrating 50 years of independence this year and calling for a “joint celebration”, on merit, since “it cost a lot of sweat and blood from the best sons of both Mozambique and Angola”.
After a long period, the President continued, in which the “defeated enemies” in 1975 mobilised to create instability in both countries, a period of definitive peace was achieved, “which fortunately has now lasted 23 years”.
“Our common struggle today is the struggle for economic and social development, so that our peoples can benefit from the potential wealth that our countries have”, said João Lourenço, in a statement to the press, after the signing ceremony of the five legal instruments.
According to João Lourenço, the joint development struggle between Angola and Mozambique still has “many steps to take” before both countries “feel fulfilled and satisfied”.
The head of state recalled that Mozambique, “unfortunately”, has encountered some difficulties in its economic and social development, due to the terrorism that has taken hold in the province of Cabo Delgado, and expressed the solidarity of the “brotherly” countries and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“More recently, Mozambique has also experienced a somewhat turbulent post-election period. Likewise, the same brothers as always also showed solidarity with Mozambique and we hope that this dark cloud will have passed and that from now on Mozambique can dedicate all its attention and energy only to what is fundamental, which is dealing with the country’s economic development”, he stressed.
According to João Lourenço, this two-day visit to Angola by the President of Mozambique has a fundamental objective: to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Daniel Chapo, who leaves Luanda on Saturday, is also scheduled to travel to the Special Economic Zone this Friday to identify "investment and business opportunities to develop in Angola", and to participate in a dinner in his honor promoted by the Angolan Banking Association (ABANC).
