Luanda — The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Manuel Domingos Augusto, said on Tuesday in Luanda that the Angolan diplomacy has always been a factor of peace and freedom in the defence of the national strategic interests and harmony between peoples and nations, based on dignity and respect of identity of each one.

Manuel Augusto said so in the opening act of a workshop on "The business repercussions of New York and development of Southern Africa", organized under the Diplomat's Day, marked on November 12.

He said that with the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) on 12 November in 1975, the sector assumed since then its responsibility contribute to the consolidation of its state and defence of the national sovereignty, thus being firmed as a vanguard in the assertion of Angola in Africa and world.

According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working so that the Angolan diplomacy may be tool to fight for peace, equality, economic and social development of peoples, as well combat injustice and meddling in internal affairs of other states.

Manuel Augusto said that this day must serve as a reflection on the deeds, challenges and opportunities in the Angolan external politics in a world that is more and more globalised and complex.

During the ceremony, it was paid homage to late foreign affairs ministers and diplomats, observing one minute of silence in their memory.