Pedro Sánchez advocates Spain's strategic association with Africa in Angola

Luanda (Angola)

At the start of his visit - long awaited since the last visit was made by Felipe González back in 1992 - the President of the Government explained that Angola is a priority country for Spain as it offers "great opportunities" for Spanish companies and has high growth potential. Pedro Sánchez also expressed his gratitude as Angola holds Spain as a priority country with a view to the programme to diversify its economy, following many years as an oil-dependent nation.

Accordingly, and with the aim of rebuilding our societies, harshly affected by the effects of the health crisis, President of the Government Sánchez expressed his wish to see Spain contribute and decisively commit to the sustainable and inclusive development of the region, to its regional integration, to its markets in the global economy, and to forging new ties and associations with key countries on the continent, as in the case of Angola.

At a business meeting held in Luanda, the President of the Government outlined the strengths and the "great international experience" of Spanish companies in the fields of transport, infrastructures, engineering and energy, which can contribute to the diversification and modernisation of the Angolan economy. In the nearly 35 years that Spain has been supporting Angola through bilateral financing, explained the President of the Government, Spanish companies have participated in the economic and social development of the country, "and we will continue to do so", he said. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez announced that the Government of Spain will extend the coverage of the official export insurance in Angola through CESCE by 200 million euros, which will result in more productive investments by Spanish companies in the country.

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaFollowing the business forum, Pedro Sánchez held a meeting with the President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, at which they signed an Air Transport Agreement and three new Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on agriculture, fisheries and industry, and agreed to the creation of an Observatory for Spanish-Angolan investments. They also made a joint statement expressing their interest in developing ongoing dialogue and their wish to step up ties between Angola and Spain.

Pedro Sánchez recognised the efforts by the Angolan Government in the health crisis and conveyed Spain's wish to ensure that the vaccines reach everyone through the multilateral actions undertaken, primarily through COVAX, in which Spain is an active participant. Lastly, the President of the Government stressed the importance of Angola as a strategic player in the region, due to its commitment to peace and stability and its influence in achieving peaceful solutions through dialogue to resolve conflicts on the African continent.

The President of the Government's final event on Thursday will be visit to an ELECNOR electricity sub-station - a Spanish company which has now been present in Angola for more than 30 years. Pedro Sánchez will also visit the 'Don Bosco' Salesian School, in the district of Lixeira (Luanda), run by the Spanish priest, Manuel Ordóñez, which organises activities particularly aimed at literacy, vocational training and care for children at risk.

Non official translation