At the Palácio das Necessidades, Luís Montenegro, alongside Angolan President João Lourenço, who commenced an official visit to Portugal today, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Portuguese government for the invaluable contribution of the Angolan community to Portugal’s economic fabric.
Moreover, the Prime Minister committed to the executive’s pledge to “continue creating preferential conditions for Angolan citizens’ access to the job market” and their “full integration” into Portuguese society.
President João Lourenço’s visit coincides with ongoing changes to the legal regime governing foreign entry—submitted by the President of the Republic to the Constitutional Court last Thursday—and to the nationality law, initiatives driven by the PSD/CDS-PP government, led by Luís Montenegro, affecting citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).
During his speech, the Prime Minister revisited expressions used roughly a year ago during his official visit to Angola, emphasizing the “umbilical relationship” between the two countries, a bond for “all times” that “never fails” each other.
“This spirit is also very much present in the respective communities: the Angolan community residing in Portugal contributes to our economic and social development, as does the Portuguese community in Angola, fulfilling the same role reciprocally,” he highlighted.
Montenegro noted the signing of 11 cooperation agreements today between the countries in areas such as transportation, security, and the Portuguese language, adding to the 12 agreements signed a year ago in Luanda, underscoring that these “are already being implemented.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of this visit occurring in the year marking Angola’s 50th independence anniversary and expressed the intention to continue a “shared path” with the country.
“More than partners, I am inclined to say we are indeed fraternal countries; this makes all the difference. The fact that we share such a close, brotherly, yet solid relationship, built on mutual trust, means we are not only always ready for any situation but always prepared to nurture our future,” he stated.
The Prime Minister wished João Lourenço “continued success in leading Angola’s destiny” and congratulated him on his international achievements, notably while holding the African Union presidency.
“I have encountered President João Lourenço on multiple occasions. This is our third meeting in less than a month,” he remarked.
João Lourenço arrived in Lisbon late Thursday afternoon and met with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in the morning before heading to the Prime Minister’s official residence for a meeting with Luís Montenegro, followed by a working lunch.
In the early afternoon, the two met with Portuguese business leaders at the Palácio das Necessidades before signing 11 bilateral cooperation instruments and delivering a press statement, with no questions from the media allowed.
