“The Angolan Constitution does not allow the installation of foreign military bases on national soil,” Furtado stressed to the press, although he noted that this was not discussed in the closed-door meeting between the delegations of the Ministries of Defense in both countries.
This Wednesday, the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Llyod Austin, and the delegation with him, met with their Angolan counterparts to explore ways to increase military cooperation.
According to Furtado, they have reviewed all the progress along these lines and now it is up to the technical teams to continue the work, for the preparation of the bilateral agreements that will be submitted to the council of ministers in their next sessions, for the final signature.
These agreements are linked to the training of Angolan military personnel; to create conditions to have American instructors in the sectors needed in the country; space and cyber security, and the re-equipment and modernization of the armed forces, among other areas.
Austin, who was received in the morning by the Angolan president, João Lourenço, confirmed that Angola has become an important partner of the United States and a country with rising leadership on the African continent.
In a speech given at the National Historical Archive, which was attended by the president of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, as well as ministers, secretaries of State and government figures, the North American representative emphasized the development of relations between the two countries.
He noted that Washington wants to deepen relations with its Angolan counterparts in matters of military force modernization, training in this field, maritime security and medical services.
He added that they are committed to working more unitedly in the preservation of peace, the fight against climate change, intelligence and cooperation in space, and other areas.
The US Secretary of Defense said he was in Angola to strengthen the “strong and equal” alliance they have built, as well as to reaffirm his country’s commitment to the African continent.
