Sánchez underlines Spain's interest in further strengthening economic and cultural relations with Angola to Lourenço

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

During the meeting, the two leaders confirmed their good understanding and showed their willingness to further strengthen cooperation relations at the highest level with the signing of a Joint Declaration.

The President of the Government of Spain said: "Spain wants to contribute to the design of EU policy towards Africa so that it is oriented towards the progress and industrialisation of the continent, the creation of jobs, especially for young people, and the effective implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area.

Spain considers Angola a priority country due to its political weight, regional projection and enormous economic potential. For this reason, Angola is one of Spain's main partners in sub-Saharan Africa and our country is one of Angola's main advocates vis-à-vis the European Union.

Angola is part of the 2019 'III Africa Plan' and the 'Foco Africa 2023' Action Programme developed by Spain. The President of the Government of Spain claimed that Spain has always been by Angola's side, even in extremely difficult times such as the years of civil war, and stressed that "we must work together to promote a strategic relationship, with special emphasis on economic and investment issues".

Sánchez stressed that in order to achieve socio-economic recovery from the pandemic, countries must have access to vaccines. In this regard, Sánchez recalled the announcement he made last week at the United Nations. Of the 30 million vaccines that Spain has pledged to donate to various countries, 7.5 million will go to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Southern Neighbourhood.

Economic and trade relations

During the meeting, the two leaders agreed on a Joint Declaration to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen sectors of economic interest for Spanish companies and investments in the country. Numerous companies in Spain are currently developing projects there in sectors such as water treatment, industrial refrigeration, health, education, training and geology.

Sánchez highlighted the interest of Spanish companies in the Angolan market, "where they can bring their experience, quality and technology to contribute to the economic and social development of the country". The good economic relations between the two countries are evidenced by the fact that Spain exported 87 million euros to Angola in 2020 and imported 548 million euros. Since 2018, the cumulative figure of Spanish investment in the country has reached 518 million euros, placing Angola in 49th place as a destination for Spanish investment.

The Government of Spain is committed to economic growth, peace, security and stability in Africa. In terms of security, Spain and Angola have a shared interest in the safety of navigation in the Gulf of Guinea. For this reason, the Spanish Navy carries out regular patrols in the area. The presence of the Maritime Action Ship 'Vigia' in the port of Luanda in early September is a case in point.

Academic and cultural cooperation

The relationship between the two countries in academic matters has been strengthened by the recent launch of the Ibero-American University Foundation University, which will train nearly 12,000 students with Spanish, Angolan and Ibero-American teaching staff. In addition, in 2021-2022, two Angolans will carry out a research stay in Spain in the framework of the MAEC-AECID grants.

Non official translation