Luanda — Angola was considered as the priority partner in the African strategy of the Spanish Government, informed on the weekend, in Luanda, the ambassador of Spain accredited in the country, Xavier Vallaure.

The diplomat made this statement during a ceremony under October 12, Spain's National Day.

At the speech made during the event, Xavier Vallaure stressed that in the Spanish political plan for Africa, Angola is a country of priority, since 2006, a time in which Madrid authorities decided to strengthen ties with the continent with a renovated spirit.

The ambassador stressed his government's will to participate in the consolidation of democracy, peace and security in the African continent, with highlight to programmes to fight poverty and for the development of the Sub-Saharan region.

By evaluating ties between both States, the ambassador added that the payment, in 2007, of Angola's main debt owed to Spain, marked the solving of the sole disagreement between both sides.

After accomplishing this financial obligation, Spanish authorities expressed the desire to grant new credit lines. This purpose gained emphasis last April when the Agreement for the Protection and Promotion of Investments was signed.

The Spanish representative considered education, agriculture, health, civil engineering and sports as the principal areas of cooperation between both States, adding that Angola "is a big African country with strong security" for investment.