Angola and Tanzania signed a memorandum of understanding on public security and order in Luanda on Thursday, strengthening the legal framework for bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The memorandum was signed by Angola’s Foreign Minister Téte António and Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Mahmoud Kombo on the sidelines of the third session of the Permanent Joint Commission on Cooperation (CPC), and was described in a joint communiqué as an important milestone in deepening bilateral ties.
Under the joint communiqué, the two sides identified new areas of engagement, along with concrete actions and projects spanning diplomatic and political consultations, defence, security, justice and legal affairs, economic development, and finance.
The parties also signalled their intention to cooperate on forestry, mineral resources, oil and gas, infrastructure and transport — with particular emphasis on a rail interconnection between the Lobito Corridor and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), a link that would extend the corridor’s reach into East Africa.
Experts on both sides further identified telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT), tourism, trade and investment as priority areas, including plans to promote business missions and hold an Angola-Tanzania Business Forum. The Blue Economy also featured on the agenda, with cooperation envisaged under the Benguela Current Convention.
Health, education, social security, gender equality, vulnerable groups, sport and culture were also designated as strategic sectors for bilateral cooperation.
During the session, ministers and their delegations deepened discussions on regional, continental and international issues of mutual and strategic interest.
Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to working in close cooperation within the African Union (AU) framework and to supporting efforts to achieve the objectives enshrined in the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Foreign Ministers António and Kombo also reaffirmed the need to work jointly to strengthen the AU’s peace and security architecture.
The two ministers expressed their countries’ readiness to collaborate on matters that contribute to peace, security and stability at both regional and continental levels, with a particular focus on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the Great Lakes.
Both ministers congratulated Tanzanian President Samia Hassan and Angolan President João Lourenço for their leadership and contributions within SADC.
They also reaffirmed support for the peace mechanisms of the African Union, SADC, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the United Nations.
Source: ANGOP / Original article: https://www.angop.ao/noticias/politica/angola-e-tanzania-estreitam-lacos-no-dominio-da-seguranca-e-ordem-publica/
