Washington, DC - On November 18, 2015, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Angola, Georges Chikoti, made an official visit to the United States. During the visit, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Chikoti met as part of the U.S.-Angola Strategic Partnership Dialogue.
During the meeting, the two delegations reviewed the progress made in the bilateral relationship over the past year since the previous strategic dialogue in December 2014. The United States congratulated Angola on the progress made over its 40 years of independence. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to build upon the substantive advances made. The broad discussions included the following:
Regional and Global Issues
The United States and the Republic of Angola reiterated their joint commitment to address the most pressing global and regional problems. The United States and Angola reaffirmed their pledge to work together on the UN Security Council to address critical global and regional issues. Angola and the United States committed to working together to find a peaceful resolution to the crises in Burundi, DRC, and South Sudan.
Trade, Investment, and Energy
Both the United States and Angola recognized the importance to intensify and diversify bilateral trade and investment cooperation while upholding international commitments and standards. Angola appreciated the efforts of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service and the U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service offices in Luanda in encouraging increased bilateral trade and supporting efforts toward diversification of its economy.
Security and Military Cooperation
Angola and the United States agreed to build on the progress made during the International Maritime Security Conference by strengthening collaboration in the area of maritime security. Angola reaffirmed its commitment to work with the United States to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing. The United States offered technical support for Angola’s continued development and elaboration of a national strategic maritime strategy.
Democracy, Human Rights, and Development
Angola and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to support the further development of democratic institutions and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, press, and religion. The United States and Angola expressed their satisfaction with the first bilateral Human Rights Dialogue which was held in November 2015 as a positive advancement in mutually addressing issues of concern. Angola reaffirmed its interest to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Voluntary Principles (VPs) and underlined its ongoing review of the agreements. The United States congratulated Angola on its successful Kimberley Process (KP) Chairmanship, particularly the accomplishment of expanding the KP dialogue to include discussions on the VPs and anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing.
