Angola, Uruguay’s new tourism agreement to create job opportunities, says Van-Dúnem

Angola and Uruguay have finalized two cooperation agreements in the areas of Tourism and Social Action, Family and Women’s Promotion, as part of a three-day visit to Angola by Foreign Affairs minister of Uruguay, Rodolfo Nin Novoa, at the invitation of his counterpart, Manuel Augusto.

Signed the deal were ministers of Tourism Ângela Bragança and of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women Faustina Inglês de Almeida Alves for Angola and the Foreign minister of Uruguay, Rodolfo Nin Novoa.

The Angolan Trade minister, Joffre Van-Dúnem, and co-chair of the Bilateral Commission opined that the agreements will allow the creation of employment opportunities for the population, improve citizens’ living conditions and diversify the Angolan economy.

“Our main goal is to do away with dependence on oil, said the minister, who defended production and diversifying the economy to ensure economic growth for the creation of better living standard. According to him, the approval of these agreements will enable both Uruguay and Angola to create the necessary conditions for the private sector to turn the legal instruments signed into practice.

In his turn, Uruguay’s former Vice President Rodolfo Nin Novoa, who praised his visit, said the move enabled the signing of an agreement that could deepen relations between the two countries. Rodolfo Nin Novoa recalled that a number of young Angolans are attending training in his country. He also expressed his country’s intention to share the experience with Angola in the field of agriculture. Angola is having a very important growth in agriculture and Uruguay can cooperate in the issue, he added.

In Luanda, Rodolfo Nin Novoa and his Angolan counterpart, Manuel Augusto, discussed the deepening of bilateral relations. They also focused on sub-regional, continental and international issues of common interest. According to a press release, the parties have acknowledged progress in bilateral relations in recent years and pledged to strengthen them on the basis of the common principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, respect for human rights, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.

The delegations undertook to work in coordination with the United Nations Human Rights Council, where Angola and Uruguay are members. They also pledged to constructively cooperate to further strengthen the body through reforms that improve its effectiveness and raise the international standards for the protection of human rights.

 After two-day work, the delegations signed six legal instruments that engage the two States in the areas of mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, visa facilitation for business people, higher education, science, technology and innovation.

Various Memoranda have been signed such as the Memorandum of Understanding between the Higher Institute of Foreign Affairs Venâncio de Moura of Angola and the Diplomatic Academy of Uruguay, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism of Angola and the Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay, and the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women of Angola and the Ministry of Rural Development of Uruguay.

The visiting top diplomat, who has been in Angolan since Sunday, held various meetings with Angolan entities in various levels and sectors. The meeting based mainly on the strengthening of the two countries’ cooperation, whose diplomatic relations started on March 26, 1988. The minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay is expected to return on February 20 to his country.

With inputs from agencies.