South Africa: Angola seeks Russian potential

Johannesburg, ANGOLA, July 27 - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, said Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa, that Angola is keen to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation.,

According to the Angolan Head of State,  who was speaking during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, on the fringes of the 10th BRICS Summit, Angola relies heavily on Russia's partnership to boost its economic development.

 João Lourenço said that after 16 years of effective peace, the country has a different agenda, aimed at the development of the economy, and invited Russian businessmen to invest in new economic fields in Angolan territory.

 "The Russian presence in the Angolan economy is mainly in the extractive industry, but we would very much like the great potential of Russia to be present also in Angola, in other areas," he said.

The Angolan Head of State, who is participating for the first time at the BRICS Summit since his election in August 2017, said there is political opening in Angola to make Russian investment a reality in all areas of the economy.

 

 João Lourenço also congratulated the Russian Government for the "high level of organization" of the World Cup, held from June to July this year.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the two countries cooperate actively in the area of ??politics, security and international organizations, and that he appreciates the support of the Angolan side within the UN.

 According to Putin, the volume of bilateral economic trade is still not large, but Russia has great potential and projects to increase it.

 "We are developing cooperation in the military field, and I appreciate every opportunity to discuss it," he said, referring to the Angolan President.  Long-standing cooperation

 Angola and Russia have had privileged relations since 1976, when they signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

Relations between the two countries went through different stages of cooperation, and are currently more significant in the Energy, Geology and Mining, Higher Education, Training, Defense, Interior, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fisheries, Transport, Finance and Banking sectors.

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