Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks at the
Kremlin with President of Angola leader João Lourenço on strengthening
cooperation in trade, the economy and culture, as well as current international
and regional matters.
“Angola is a reliable and old partner. We need to consider what we need to
do, without delay, to stimulate our trade and economic ties. There are
interesting fields of activity, such as the diamond industry, fisheries and
space exploration. There are also cultural spheres, such as education and the
training of personnel,” Putin told the Angolan President at the meeting.
On his part, the Angolan leader João Lourenço added: “We have come to
Russia on an official visit to strengthen our ties and cooperation and, if
possible, to promote interaction between our countries. Russia is doing
splendidly in the spheres of mineral resources, education, healthcare and
defence. But we would like to know about Russia’s potential in other fields so
we can promote cooperation in these areas of the Angolan economy.”
He informed further that his opening speech at the Angola-Russia Forum in
Moscow was designed to attract the interest of Russian business people to
investing in the Angolan economy, and finally added “many countries are
doing this, and we are confident that Russia can help with economic
diversification.”
Putin and Lourenço signed a joint communique after their consultations. The
number of bilateral documents signed included the intergovernmental agreements
on the peaceful exploration and use of space, and on fishery and aquaculture,
as well as documents on cooperation in diamond mining and processing.
Consultations continue on draft agreements on cooperation in the peaceful use
of outer space and nuclear energy, commercial shipping, mutual protection of
classified information, simplified access to Angola’s ports for Russian
warships, as well as agreements involving Russia’s Justice Ministry, Ministry
of Industry and Trade and Communications Ministry, according to the Kremlin
Press Service.
Before their final departure from the Kremlin, João Lourenço presented Vladimir
Putin with a high Angolan award – the Order of Agostinho Neto, the first
President of Angola – as a sign of gratitude for the years of support for the
Republic of Angola.
Agostinho Neto Order is the highest distinction of the Angolan State with a
single degree, granted to nationals and foreigners, in particular Heads of
State and Government, political leaders and other heavyweight individuals.
Earlier at the Angolan-Russian Forum, the Angolan leader said that political
and diplomatic relations with Russia were “excellent and privileged”
but asked for more Russian private investment.
In his objective assessment about economic engagement by foreign players, only
few Russian companies are comparatively operating in the Angolan market and
limited solely to the exploration and production of diamonds, to the financial
system and to the construction of hydroelectric dams.
“Angola wants to change that scenario through public-private partnerships
or by creating Angolan-Russian companies with a focus on the manufacturing
industry, agro-industry, fishing, energy, tourism, geology and mining, among
other sectors,” he added.
Lourenço, however, recalled the long-lasting tradition of “friendship and
solidarity” between the two countries, which have remained firm and strong
despite the great changes the world has seen in the last decades. Angola counts
with Russia’s solidarity and support at a time when it must guarantee economic
cooperation and sustainable development, the president said.
Russia-Angolan interaction in the Kremlin has attracted attention of a former
Russian diplomat. “Angola is a priority area of Russia’s cooperation in
Africa. To begin with, that was the case since the time when Angola fought for
its independence. Secondly, this is due to Angola’s huge economic
potential,” explained Sergei Nenashev, who served as Russia’s Ambassador
to Angola from 2007-2012.
“Now the country lives off oil, gas and, partially, diamonds. On the other
hand, Angola has vast resources. Today, Russia and Angola maintain ties in all
areas of interstate relations, including culture, education, personnel
training, military-technical, financial and economic cooperation.” the
former Ambassador told the Kommersant daily newspaper.
Russians like historical references. As expected, the local Russian media were
awashed with articles highlighting Russia’s historical contributions to the
independence of Angola, the development and strengthening of friendly relations
with the country during the Soviet era. That Russia has promoted political
dialogue, including the exchange of visits at the high levels, as well as trade
and economic cooperation and cultural relations between the two countries.
Media reports offered a number of examples of many areas of cooperation. But
Russian companies, at least over the past ten years, have made little results
or impact on development of the country. Alrosa is involved in diamond mining
in Angola’s largest Catoka deposit. Global Resources is involved in geological
prospecting. Rosneft has won a tender for working in Angola. Russia and Angolan
companies are cooperating on high technology.
Itar-Tass reported that Russian truck-maker Kamaz may organize assembly of
trucks in Angola and Russian Railways may participate in upgrading the rail
infrastructure in this country. Russian Railways (RZD) in restoring and
upgrading the railroad infrastructure are among looking-forward cooperation projects.
But, Professors Vladimir Shubin and Alexandra Archangelskaya from the Russian
Academy of Sciences’ Institute for African Studies, have argued that “both
Russia and Angola still need to be more strategic in aligning their interests,
and more proactive in carving out efficient bilateral instruments and
mechanisms in order to promote economic exchanges and reap the benefits of a
fully-fledged partnership.”
Cooperation between Angola and Russia date back to 1976, when the two countries
signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation. But official figures are still
staggering, trade between the two countries stood at US$500 million in 2016, 15
times higher than that of 2012 (US$25 million).
Angola has diamonds, oil, gold, copper and a rich wildlife, forest and fossil
fuels. Since independence, oil and diamonds have been the most important
economic resource. It’s a member of the Southern African Development Community,
an inter-governmental organization that has made its goal to further
socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security
cooperation among 16 Southern African States.
The Republic of Angola is a country in south-central Africa, the seventh largest by territorial size and bordered by Namibia to the south, Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and Zambia to the east, and on the west the South Atlantic Ocean.