Lisbon — The discussions of the 13th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community (CPLP) started this Thursday morning, in Lisbon, Portugal, with highlight to the discussion of the Consular Cooperation Agreement among member States.

The press was confined in a division without conditions to follow the details of the opening ceremony of this ministerial session, which will end this Thursday.

The meeting prepares recommendations for the seventh Summit of Heads of State and Government, to happen on Friday and shall be attended by the Angolan prime minister, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, in representation of the Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.

Angola is attending the ministerial forum with a delegation led by the Foreign Affairs deputy minister, Georges Chicoty.

According to the programme, the ministers shall approve the bills of the "Lisbon Declaration" and the "Declaration on Portuguese Language: a common patrimony, a global future".

Participants will elect a new executive director of the International Portuguese Language Institute (IILP), a post in which Angola will defend a second mandate of the national linguist, Amélia Mingas.

The programme also comprises debate of member states' candidatures to UN agencies, CPLP's engagement in combating HIV/AIDS, reinforcement of the civil society participation and cultural goods circulation.

CPLP was founded 10 years ago and comprises the following countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor.