Russia calls for strengthened cooperation with Angola

Moscow, Moscow – The Angola-Russia Economic Forum that started Wednesday in Moscow, Russian Federation, must show the new Angola’s perspective in view of the implementation of Angolan projects outlined on the occasion of the meeting between presidents Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Dmitry Medvedev, on July 26, 2009, in Luanda. This was said Wednesday in Moscow by the head of the Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Andrey Komarov. Addressing the event, Andrey Komarov said the meeting must create a strong pillar for the development of multi-sectoral cooperation between Angola and Russia. “We have noted with pleasure that Angola has over the last few years started to recover from the armed conflict that lasted for many years. The country’s socio-economic development has been gaining a positive dynamics and is growing well,” said the official admitting this is making Angola’s economy attractive to foreign investors. To Andrey Komarov, Angola is one of the main and safest Russia’s partners in Africa, which according to him, explains the cooperation existing between the two countries in various fields that include mining exploration, hydroelectric energy, training of personnel, public health and banking. He announced that his country has resources aside for future partnerships in the domains of technologies, particularly in Angola’s satellite telecommunication system. With regard to the last topic, he said it is a project that will improve the quality of television and telephone services around the country but its implementation will still take a few more years as it requires much technological preparation. The official also announced that the joint Angola/Russia Commission might meet next year in Russia to assess the state of cooperation  between the two states, with stress to the economic, scientific and commercial sectors.