Angola Participates in OEACP and EU Parliamentary Assembly

An Angolan parliamentary delegation, led by deputy Vigílio Tyova, participated in the opening ceremony of the 2nd Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACP) and the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium, on November 9. The assembly brings together around 160 parliamentarians from member states of both organizations to enhance political, economic, and institutional cooperation. The event is taking place until November 13.

The opening ceremony was attended by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as an honored guest. Notable participants included European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee, Togo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dussey, and Irish Minister of State Frank Feighan, representing the Irish Presidency of the EU Council. The co-presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly, Thomas Tayebwa (OACP) and Francisco Assis (EU), were also in attendance.

The assembly aims to foster cooperation and address common challenges faced by the member states. During the ceremony, participants emphasized the need for joint responses to political, economic, social, and environmental challenges. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for concrete measures to tackle issues such as disinformation, food insecurity, climate change, and international conflicts.

Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta highlighted the importance of dialogue in peaceful conflict resolution and the role of parliaments in promoting peace, justice, and people's rights. He advocated for strengthened international cooperation and multilateralism as essential tools for addressing common challenges. The president's remarks underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in achieving shared goals.

The co-presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly, Francisco Assis and Thomas Tayebwa, urged the acceleration of the Samoa Agreement's ratification, which establishes the framework for cooperation between the EU and OACP member states. They also emphasized the need to harness the natural resources of OACP countries through industrial development, local processing of raw materials, and job creation.

The assembly's agenda includes discussions on economic cooperation, sustainable development, and strengthening trade relations. Angola's participation in the assembly aligns with its parliamentary diplomacy efforts and its commitment to monitoring cooperation mechanisms between the OACP and the EU. The country's involvement demonstrates its dedication to fostering partnerships with other nations and international organizations.

The participation of Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Michael Holness, and Ethiopia's Minister of State for Finance, Tiguist Fisseha, via videoconference, added to the assembly's diversity and scope. Their contributions enriched the discussions and highlighted the importance of collaborative problem-solving in addressing regional and global challenges.

Key points

• The assembly aims to strengthen cooperation between the OACP and EU member states.
• Participants emphasized the need for joint responses to common challenges.
• The Samoa Agreement's ratification was highlighted as a priority.