Maputo: The Speakers of Angola and parliament, Carolina Cerqueira, and Margarida Talapa, assessed on Thursday in Maputo the state of parliamentary cooperation in the current regional and global context. According to Angola Press News Agency, during the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 50 years of Mozambique's independence celebration, the two parliamentary leaders reviewed the existing cooperation program between the two parliaments.
Speaking to the press, Carolina Cerqueira stated that the meeting with her Mozambican counterpart served to review bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas and to strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood. She emphasized the need for the two parliaments to draw up joint programs to promote and preserve peace and gender equality that meet the aspirations of the populations.
"As legitimate representatives of the two peoples, we must work on joint programs to respond to the aspirations of the populations, as well as coordinate ideas for concerted action in regional, African, and international forums," Cerqueira said. She also took the opportunity to inform her counterpart about the current situation in Angola and the efforts made by the Executive to improve the conditions of the people.
Cerqueira highlighted the fact that nine women currently lead the parliaments of their countries, noting that this should serve as inspiration for younger generations of women to contribute positively to the development of both countries. Margarida Talapa, in her turn, emphasized the need to strengthen parliamentary cooperation across a wide range of areas and develop a common strategy for the defense, promotion of peace, and well-being of the populations.
"As two brotherly peoples, we have much to learn and walk side by side in promoting the development of both countries. We have the particularity of being the only Portuguese-speaking countries in the SADC, which is why we must work together," Talapa stated.
The Angolan delegation, composed of Deputy Ruth Mendes and Deputy Manuel Augusto, highlighted the strengthening of historical, political, and diplomatic ties between Angola and Mozambique, two countries united by a common history of struggle for independence, bilateral cooperation, and regional integration. The trip is part of the Angolan government's efforts to consolidate relations with countries in the Southern African region, promoting solidarity and parliamentary and institutional exchange.
In addition to participating in the main ceremony, Carolina Cerqueira and the members of the Angolan delegation joined in the tribute to Mozambican heroes that took place at the Monument to Mozambican Heroes. The main ceremony brought together hundreds of foreign guests, including heads of state and government, their representatives, and others, on Wednesday at the Machava stadium in the Mozambican capital.
Cooperation relations between the two parliaments were formalized on November 27, 2003, with the signing of the first Cooperation Protocol between the National Assembly of Angola and the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique. To achieve the objectives set out in the Cooperation Protocol, several Cooperation Programs were signed between the two parliaments.
In the framework of the Cooperation Protocol between the National Assembly of Angola and the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique, on April 21, 2007, the secretaries-general of the Parliaments of Angola and Mozambique signed the Cooperation Program for the period 2007-2009.
