Rui Figueiredo Soares' statements were made in Luanda, at the opening of the Council of Ministers of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), in which the head of Cape Verdean diplomacy gave possession to his counterpart from Angola, Téte António, who assumed this Friday the rotating presidency of this organ.
"The common future is averse to isolationism and overlapping individual interests to collective ones," said Cape Verde's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Communities and Regional Integration, noting that "the problem of one is a problem for all," especially in the current context of pandemic that has had "harsh consequences" for the CPLP countries.
Rui Figueiredo Soares pointed out the particularly damaging effects on the economy of countries like Cape Verde, heavily dependent on tourism and wished "very good luck to the colleague, brother and friend" as president of this body, but also "good luck to our community" for the challenges it faces.
Téte António, in turn, also highlighted the challenge that covid-19 represents for the organization with the loss of human lives, increased unemployment, and poverty, which he considered "the greatest danger" today for the global economy.
"Concerted and inclusive policy actions and technical and financial support to the poorest and most vulnerable countries are needed," he urged.
For the foreign minister, these are also "times of opportunity for greater union and cooperation" among the CPLP countries for economic and social development.
Téte António also left a word of appreciation to the outgoing executive secretary, Francisco Ribeiro Telles, stressing "how much the organization has benefited from his long experience, professionalism and, above all, his human qualities.
Friday's meeting of the Council of Ministers precedes the 13th Conference of Heads of State and Government of the CPLP, which takes place on Saturday, also in Luanda.
The CPLP includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor.
