Luanda, ANGOLA, November 27 - Angolan President João Lourenço and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni Silveri expressed Monday interest in expanding and diversifying bilateral cooperation. ,

The Angolan Head of State and the head of the Italian government told journalists at the end of a meeting between the two individuals and after signing two agreements between the oil companies Sonangol (Angola) and ENI (Italy).

The Angolan statesman recognized that since 2014 there has been a contraction in trade between the two countries due to the financial crisis resulting from the fall in the price of oil (Angola's main export product) in the international market.

This is a picture that tends to change, said President João Lourenço.

After extolling the support of Italian civil society organizations in the struggle for the liberation of African countries against colonialism, he considered it essential that bilateral cooperation be extended to the sectors of agro-industry and fisheries.

President Joao Lourenço defended the continuation of the regular exchanges of ministerial delegations between the two states.

On the other hand, the Italian Prime Minister said that the choice of Angola for the beginning of his tour in Africa confirms the importance of the ties of friendship existing between Angola and Italy.

According to Paolo Gentiloni, there is much work to be done in order to consolidate existing cooperation. For the Italian prime minister, the economies of Angola and Italy complement each other.

The Head of Italian Government believes that the future of Europe will be played in Africa, highlighting the influence of the Mediterranean in the culture of both continents.

Italy was the first Western European country to recognize the Independence of Angola on February 18, 1976 and, on June 4 of that year, diplomatic relations were established between the two States.

The relations of both countries date back to 1977, at which time the memorandum establishing the Bilateral Commission, the Joint Commission for Cooperation, was signed, followed by the signing of other legal instruments, in particular in the field of international defense and security, collaboration in humanitarian operations and support for peace, demining,  and medical care.

Angola is Italy's third largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2013, the volume of trade between the two countries amounted to 891.358 million Euros, made through Italian exports.

 

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