Luanda- The European Union's Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, considered this Wednesday, in Luanda, Angola as a key partner of the organization, being involved in close commercial and political cooperation relations to boost the country's development.
The commissioner was speaking at the signing of four financing agreements, with the Angolan Government, valued at €90 million for the blue economy, justice and the rule of law, solid waste management and empowerment of society civil.
Jutta Urpilainen highlighted that the European Union will continue to support Angola in economic diversification, aiming to improve the non-oil-based value chain and reinforce the development of the private sector, the creation of jobs and simultaneously leverage good governance and human development, with treatises on technical professional education and training.
"The signing of these conventions is part of a financing package of €275 million for the Revitalization of Agricultural Education and Professional Training programs in Angola, supporting the formation of the economy, including public finance management. We want to involve member states and the organization's private sector to contribute and leverage private investment for Angola", she highlighted.
Speaking to the press, the minister of the Environment, Ana Paula de Carvalho, highlighted that the convention for the area of solid waste management in the province of Luanda, budgeted at €25 million, will contribute to improving the adequate treatment of urban waste, ensuring better health and a better environment.
"By solving the problem of the capital city, the most populous in Angola, we are solving half of the country's problem in this chapter", she highlighted.
The minister said that the municipalities of Cacuaco and Viana will be priorities for the program, as they have the highest population density.
In turn, the minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Lopes, made it known that the funding of €25 million, made available by the European Union, will serve to cover some activities in the sector, in particular, with regard to civil registration of citizens and the provision of services in remote areas, where there is still some difficulty in functioning the Internet system.
"We have difficulties in all provinces, whose municipalities are very far from the municipal headquarters and we are improving the Internet system, with the support of Angosat-2", he said.
The minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Cármen dos Santos, said that the value of the agreement, of €30 million for a blue economy, will promote the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources and coastal ecosystems, in a context of changes climate.
She also made it known that the program also plans to leverage and bring to the sector a transformation in the value chain of fishing products and the blue economy, as well as the possibility of implementing and planning fishing and maritime planning, as well as complementing labor management with the community.
"We are committed to spending the entire budget on projects that transform people's lives", he highlighted.
The agreements were signed by the Angolan Government, the minister of Planning, Victor Hugo Guilherme, and the European Union, the Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen.
The financing, which will be disbursed until 2027, is part of the Multiannual Indicative Program of Aid for Cooperation and Development of the European Union in Angola, during the period 2021-2027, through the Neighborhood, Development Cooperation and of International Cooperation.
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