February 18, 2013 (TSR) – Angola wants to rely on Brazilian support to create its national military industry and strengthen its defence industry with a view to reducing the dependence of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) on the purchase of logistics from abroad.
This was stated here Monday by Minister of National Defence Cândido Pereira dos Santos Van-Dunem at the opening of two-day talks between the delegations of the defence ministries of both countries in conjunction with the visit of his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim.
The minister said Angola’s defence ministry was also open to exploration and discussion on other aspects of co-operation in the field of defence and between the respective armed forces based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits.
In the context of the talks, Ván-Dunem also defended the need of the delegations to work toward the goal of strengthening the contents of their existing co-operation agreement and, as a result, reflect on the new subsidiary programmes.
The Angolan minister stressed on the importance of the visit by his Brazilian counterpart, saying it would lead to the creation of a new, more solid foundation for a more active co-operation in the field of defence.
Amorim, who is accompanied on his visit by general officers of the Brazilian Army, Navy and Air Force and a large number of entrepreneurs linked to Brazil’s military industry, was scheduled to visit later on Monday the Luanda Naval Base of the Angolan Navy.
Addressing the meeting, Van-Dúnem also said Angola was seriously engaged at international level in the struggle for peace and security and for fairer relations. “In particular, we remain apprehensive and deeply concerned about the conflicts that occur in Africa and have caused enormous loss of lives, displaced persons, refugees and irreparable economic harm,” he added.
He stressed that, for this reason, the Angolan government, as always, stood prepared to be part of peace efforts being undertaken in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea-Bissau, the Central African (CAR), Mali, Sudan and South Sudan.
“We think that all interested countries too should endeavour to establish a political order in the Middle East and other parts of our planet,” he said.
To Cândido Van-Dúnem, through dialogue and consultation policy, it was possible to find understanding conducive to the preservation of peace and world security required for the development of humanity.
He stressed that as part of its foreign policy, Angola always and unequivocally defended the values of freedom, solidarity and justice in the relentless pursuit of well-being for all people, principles that should allow its triumphal march toward building a better world.
Source: ANGOP
