Luanda — The Angolan Defence minister, Cândido Pereira Van-Dúnem, Monday in Luanda recommended the elevation of the operational capacity of the Armed Forces (FAA) through training, aiming at brushing up the intellectual and physical capacity of the staff.

The minister was addressing the main event celebrating the 20th FAA anniversary on December 17 held in the 101st Tanks Brigade, situated in the locality of Funda, near Luanda, with the theme "Army 20 years defending the territorial integrity."

According to the minister, a permanent effort should be made towards improving the troops skills, as part of the ongoing process of modernisation and rebuilding of the Angolan Armed Forces, in a perspective of self-defence rather than that of militarism.

He stated that the Government that followed the general election of August 31 has as its line of action to emphasise the reform in the country's defence and security sector, by strictly defending such values as high patriotic sense, discipline, comradeship, cohesion and spirit of mission.

Minister Van-Dunem stated as well that these principles are crucial for the continued work of the army which is that of building a solid and non-partisan military staff, solely engaged in the defence of the State's highest interests and national sovereignty.

On the other hand, the minister also called for a special attention to medical assistance of the troops, through a worthy service and hard work in the fight to eradicate from the ranks of the Armed Forces such diseases as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.