President dos Santos, Portuguese Foreign minister discuss relations

Luanda, Luanda - The state of relations between Angola and Portugal topped Friday meeting between President José Eduardo dos Santos and the Portuguese Foreign Affairs minister, Paulo Portas. Speaking to reporters at the end of an-hour audience, the Portuguese official considered the relations between Angola and Portugal as intense and important to both countries. He said that it is natural that the top diplomats of the two countries often reciprocate the visits. As for the meeting with the President of the Republic, Paulo Portas, who arrived Friday  morning for a one-day visit to Angola, termed the talks very positive. According to the visiting Foreign Affairs minister it is high time, in addition to bilateral matters,  to discuss multilateral topics. Speaking in particular on repeatedly condemned last coup occurred in Guinea-Bissau, the official defended that the Portuguese-speaking Countries Community (CPLP), was very clear  in defense of principles, and condemning the events that happened in the member country. He stressed that the coups delay development and hinder stability, having noted that Portugal  supports the role the members of Angolan Armed Forces played in the West African country. Paulo Portas recalled that it was a role requested and legitimized by popular vote of  Guinea-Bissau, a country, where the constitutional principles should be respected. On bilateral issues, the Portuguese top diplomat underlined the role played by his country's companies in Angola and also the African nations in Portugal. Angola and Portugal integrate the Portuguese-speaking Countries Community (CPLP), along with Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, East Timor, Sao Tome and Principe.