Brussels:An Angolan parliamentary delegation is actively participating in the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the OACPS-European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings in Brussels, Belgium, from November 7 to 13. The discussions are centered on peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the meetings are gathering parliamentarians from the member states of the OACPS and the European Parliament. The Angolan delegation is led by MP Vigílio Tyova and includes parliamentarians Olívio Fortunato Kilumbo and Yolanda de Sousa Gaspar, along with the Deputy Permanent Representative at the Angolan Embassy in Brussels, António Nzita'Mbemba.
The agenda of the meetings began with the second meeting of the African Region Parliamentary Group on November 7, focusing on themes such as OACPS financing, peace and security, youth, gender equality, and critical raw materials. The assembly is revisiting issues addressed in the Kingdom of Eswatini earlier this year.
A significant topic of discussion was the ratification of the Samoa Agreement, which frames the cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union. Currently, only 15 of the 79 African member states, including Angola, have ratified the agreement. Participants are emphasizing the need to expedite national ratification processes to strengthen the partnership and access the cooperation opportunities it offers.
The meeting also highlighted the creation of a Working Group on Critical Raw Materials, comprising representatives from both the African Parliamentary Group and the European Parliament. Additionally, the agenda includes a draft resolution on critical raw materials and a proposal for the autonomous financing of the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly, introduced by Yaya Doumba from Cameroon.
The sessions are expected to host approximately 160 parliamentarians from ACP countries and members of the European Parliament, aiming to address global challenges and cooperation priorities. Notable attendees include the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the President of East-Timor, José Ramos-Horta.
Angola's involvement underscores its commitment to enhancing parliamentary diplomacy and monitoring multilateral cooperation between OACPS member states and the European Union.
