Nigeria joins hand with Angola in strengthening political, socio-economic cooperation

Foreign Affairs ministers of Angola and Nigeria expressed that the two African countries need to deepen political, socio-economic and cultural cooperation with a view to strengthening existing ties.

A communiqué has been issued at the completion of meeting between Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama and the Angolan Minister of External Relations, Manuel Augusto, on May 9 in Abuja that is expected to guide both the nations in the new direction.

The commitment is expressed in a statement issued at the end of a two-day visit by Angolan Foreign Minister, Manuel Augusto, to the West African state. Both countries reiterated the importance of permanent diplomatic consultations in the context of Peace and Security Council of African Union.

The countries agreed that the 5^th Nigeria-Angola Joint Commission session will be held later this year in Luanda, Angola, on a date to be set up. Manuel Augusto, who visited Nigeria at the invitation of his counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama, analyzed with him, among others, the issues related to agenda on continental, international and sub-regions in which they are integrated.

The two countries agreed to leverage on the bilateral relations between them and intensify collaboration towards enhancing the level of peace, stability and security of the sub-regions. They agreed on the imperative for concerted collective action to combat effectively, all threats to the sustainable development of the two countries and the African continent, JournalduCameroun.com reported.

Political-diplomatic relations between Angola and Nigeria date back to 1975, the year the former achieved its Independence from Portugal. The two countries are members of the Peace and Security Council of African Union (PSC-AU), the Gulf of Guinea Commission (CGG) and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

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