Embassy of Angola in Rwanda, yesterday celebrated 45th Anniversary of National Independence. Read the Speech of Ambassador Eduardo Filomino Leiro Octavio below:
On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Angolan Independence Day, it is with consideration and respect that the Embassy in Rwanda, on behalf of H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, greets H.E. President Paul Kagame, the government and people of Rwanda for the excellent existing relations of friendship and cooperation.
In 1975, the Angolan people made sacrifices to become independent and the President Dr. António Agostinho Neto proclaims national independence to Africa and to the world, today on the 11th November. It is a glorious day.
Unfortunately, for more than thirty years, the Angolan people had to face violence from foreign forces and a war between brothers, which has not only destroyed the main infrastructures of the country, but has also taken hundreds of thousands of innocent lives.
In 2002 the Angolan people achieved peace and began a long journey towards reconciliation and national reconstruction.
Angola is consolidating the foundations of a democratic state under the rule of law, where the private business sector plays an important role in the creation of national wealth with the diversification of the economy and offering thousands of jobs.
Angola is creating a business environment that attracts national and foreign private investment. Unfortunately, Angola is also suffering from consequences of the covid-19 pandemic that has unexpectedly emerged around the world and is affecting millions of people.
We would like to take this opportunity on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Angolan Independence Day to affirm that my country is increasingly open to the world.
The diplomatic relations and cooperation between the republic of Angola and the republic of Rwanda is growing stronger with the expansion of strategic partnerships approved by the respective heads of state and government.
The Republic of Angola maintains its commitment to do everything within its role as mediator to normalize relations between Rwanda and Uganda, based on the memorandum of understanding of Luanda of 21st august 2019.
On the 26th august, 2020, the council of ministers of Angola approved the following legal instruments for bilateral cooperation with Rwanda:
– Agreement on the establishment of the joint cooperation committee between Angola and Rwanda;
– Framework agreement between the republic of Angola and the government of the republic of Rwanda;
– Memorandum of understanding between the ministries of foreign affairs of the republic of Angola and the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the republic of Rwanda on political consultations.
On 20th September, 2020, H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, president of the republic of Angola, ratified the “agreement between the government of the republic of Angola and the government of the republic of Rwanda for the operation of air services between and beyond their respective territories,” signed in Kigali on May 23, 2018.
On 23rd October, 2020, the first business forum between Angola and Rwanda was held by videoconference, with the participation of Thirty Angolan and Rwandan entrepreneurs, which was signed a memorandum of understanding between the CEO’s of the AIPEX (Angola) and RDB (Rwanda), which will enable entrepreneurs in each country to export, start new business and increase the levels of partnership between Angola and Rwanda, as well as establish the
“Chamber of commerce and industry between Angola and Rwanda”.
Both ambassadors of Angola to Rwanda and Rwanda to Angola, and their respective ministries of foreign affairs and international cooperation, will hold a video conference this November to organize the first meeting of the joint cooperation committee between Angola and Rwanda, to be held in the first quarter of 2021.
It is with great honor that the Angolan community working, studying and living in Rwanda, will celebrate this important date in the history of our country, the 45 years of national independence, with joy, civic spirit and responsibility, fulfilling all the preventive measures that to covid-19 forces us to, in collaboration with the health authorities of the Republic of Rwanda and Angola, in favor of unity, stability, and development of our countries, Angola and Rwanda. (End)