The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic met today with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola Fernando da Piedad Dias dos Santos, currently in official visit to the Republic of Serbia.
Gojkovic and Dias dos Santos signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola, giving the parliamentary cooperation a new, institutionalized form and creating substantive pre-requisites for the advancement of cooperation at the level of working bodies in charge of foreign affairs, economy, agriculture, defence, environment, education, etc.
Gojkovic said that today’s historic visit of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola opens a new chapter of interparliamentary cooperation and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding shows mutual commitment to continue to develop the traditional relations.
Gojkovic emphasized the traditionally friendly relations between Serbia and Angola, without any outstanding issues throughout the 45 year-long history of diplomatic relations.
Gojkovic went on to say that the historic ties and traditionally friendly relations have a long and rich history dating back to Angola’s struggle for independence and the cooperation in the Non-Aligned movement, adding that it is up to them to continue to develop and strengthen relations.
Gojkovic thanked the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola for the principled and firm stance of non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija and for respecting Serbian sovereignty and territorial integrity and international law.
Dias dos Santos said that Angola’s stance on the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija remains unchanged and Serbia can count on support for its positions.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Angola said that today’s visit marks a new stage in the relations between the two parliaments and aims to deepen parliamentary and overall bilateral relations. He added that the relations between the two states reach far back in history, to the times of Angola’s struggle for independence and Yugoslavia’s sincere support, stressing that assistance and support never failed, not even in the worst of times, and those who always stood by Angola are its truest friends.
Dias dos Santos said that by signing the Memorandum of Understanding Angola wishes to work on deepening cooperation, opining that parliaments should play a positive and powerful role in strengthening relations.
The two parliament speakers spoke in favour of strengthening economic cooperation and developing cooperation in the spheres of agriculture, pharmacy and defence industry and others, with Gojkovic saying that the parliaments need to encourage the governments to intensify cooperation and sign agreements in areas of mutual interest.
Gojkovic said that the Serbian Assembly has set up a PFG with Angola, another incentive to continue developing relations, and thanked the guest for the invitation to visit the Republic of Angola.
