Luanda — The National Defence minister, Cândido Pereira dos Santos Van-Dúnem, last Sunday in Luanda said that peace is a fundamental element in the preservation of the independence that was conquered with the blood and sweat of Angolan people.

Speaking to the press, on the fringe of the gala of celebration of the country's 37th independence anniversary, held in the Presidential Palace, in Luanda, the minister defended that it is necessary to honour those who gave their best for the independence, some of whom died in battle.

According to the minister, the national defence sector is guided by principles that integrate the governance programme of the ruling MPLA party for the next five years.

"The matters relating to peace are intrinsically linked to other efforts of the executive, we can not be isolated.

We are a country that has extra responsibilities in the regional and international context.

Cândido Van-Dúnem stated that Angola has been able to honour its regional and international compromises, under the leadership of President José Eduardo dos Santos.

In the gala, which was attended by the governor of Luanda, Bento Bento, the participants were enlived with the reciting of poems by the country's first president, António Agostinho Neto, as well as with music by the Kapossoka symphonic orchestra, Canhoto duet, the singers Yola Semedo, Matias Damásio, and the dance groups Kilandukilo and Montweno, among other acts.