Beirut — Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, on Wednesday stressed the role that the Angolan government has played in the quest for maintenance of peace on the African continent and southern region in particular.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, on Wednesday stressed the role that the Angolan government has played in the quest for maintenance of peace on the African continent and southern region in particular.
During an audience with the Angolan ambassador to Lebanon, Nelson Cosme, in Beirut, the head of Lebanese diplomacy emphasized that 'when it comes to peacekeeping in Africa,' especially in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Angola 'is an unavoidable reference point,' having congratulated the Angolan executive on its work in this area.
The meeting discussed the best ways to increase trade between the two countries, given the current low levels and to establish bilateral political and diplomatic consultations, both at ministerial and ambassadorial level.
It went on to discuss the six proposed bilateral cooperation agreements, namely the Economic, Scientific and Cultural Agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation Mechanisms, and the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic, Service and Special Passports.
It also included the Agreement on the Establishment of the Bilateral Commission, proposed by Angola, the agreements on the encouragement, promotion and protection of reciprocal investments, and on Civil Aviation and Air Services, suggested by the Republic of Lebanon.
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Regarding the Agreement on Political Consultations, Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reiterated that it had already been approved and that Angola's other three proposals will be finalized quickly.
Abdallah Bou Habib announced an invitation, soon to be formalized through diplomatic channels, to his Angolan counterpart, Téte António, to make an official visit to Lebanon later this year, in order to establish political consultations at the appropriate level and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The minister said Angola is a priority for Lebanon in its relationship with Africa, due to the high presence of Lebanese citizens in the country, over 4,000, and their participation in the national economy.
The audience with ambassador Nelson Cosme, who has been in Beirut since Tuesday at the invitation of the local authorities, was witnessed by ambassadors Rodrigue el Khourij and Hadi Jaber, respectively the directors for Africa and for Economic Affairs at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agenda of the Angolan diplomat, who resides in Cairo, includes meetings with private and business organizations. ART/DAN/AMP
