“It is very gratifying for me, before the end of the second term, to welcome President João Lourenço at the end of July, on the last weekend of July,” declared Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, confirming the official visit during his brief stop in the Angolan capital, before proceeding to Mozambique to partake in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence.
The Portuguese President stated that during his stopover in Luanda, following visits to São Tomé and Príncipe, he discussed with João Lourenço the “global situation, in this particularly difficult moment,” in the context of bilateral relations and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa further emphasized Angola’s importance in the dialogue between Europe and Africa, noting that João Lourenço is also expected to visit Brussels for a meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa, with a summit scheduled between the two blocs in November.
“I confirmed there will be, at that time, a summit between the European Union and the African Union, highlighting Angola’s significance, the power that is Angola, especially in its relationship with other continents,” stressed the Portuguese President.
The Portuguese head of state praised Angola’s role as a “pivot” in political and economic summits, highlighting that “what is successful for Angola, is successful for Portugal, for the Portuguese-speaking world, and, generally, for the ongoing dialogue between Europe and Africa.”
He also praised his personal relationship with João Lourenço, expressing “missing” their meetings at the United Nations in various settings.
When asked about the recent approval by the Council of Ministers of the government’s proposals to amend the nationality law, the President refrained from commenting due to unfamiliarity with the law’s content.
“I have this principle; I don’t comment on ongoing legislative processes, and this is not ongoing; it’s the beginning of the process,” he concluded, indicating he will await the proceedings in the Assembly of the Republic.
After Luanda, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will proceed to Maputo, where he will participate in the official ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Mozambique’s independence.
