The Portuguese Foreign Minister believes that in Africa they look at Portugal “as an intermediate country that is not quite an African country, but one that is very close.
The Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho, said this Friday in Addis Ababa that Portugal wants to act as a link between Africa and Europe, because it is seen by African nations as an “intermediate country.
Taking stock of more than a dozen bilateral meetings he had today in the Ethiopian capital on the margins of the 36th African Union Summit, João Gomes Cravinho explained to Lusa that Portugal is seen as a partner that “bridges the gap with Europe.
“They know, they don’t look at us as if we were really from outside, they look at us as an intermediate country that is not really an African country, but a very close country,” and even in cases where there are “less intense” relations, there is “this receptivity,” said João Gomes Cravinho, who made a “very positive balance” of the meetings held.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, will attend the summit, Saturday and Sunday, and will participate in several meetings, a sign of recognition by the African partners, since he will be the only non-African head of government present. “Gaining a very detailed knowledge of the situation, for example, in the Sahel helps us a lot to explain in Brussels why and how European support can make a difference” in Africa, the minister illustrated.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that Europe needs Africa in the same way that Africa needs Europe, and peace in the Sahel region will need strong European support,” but, “for that, there needs to be some comfort on the European side through knowledge of what is happening.” Portugal “can play this role, and has been playing it. Fortunately we are not the only ones, but we are, I would say, special in this relationship,” added the leader.
João Gomes Cravinho also praised Angola’s greater diplomatic commitment to issues on the African continent, in contrast to the recent past. “Angola, here a few years ago, had some reluctance to get involved in situations, conflicts in other parts of the continent. Today Angola has a strong presence and has credibility that allows it to play a key role,” he said in an interview with Lusa, on the sidelines of the 36th African Union Summit.
And gave the example of the Great Lakes region pacification effort, in a reference to the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also in the Central African Republic, where “Angola also plays a very important role. “For us, it is a great satisfaction to see Angola play this role, we believe it is a very positive role for the whole continent, because Angola is a country with weight and was lacking, somehow, this influence,” added the Portuguese minister.
“I see my Angolan colleague very active,” referring to Foreign Minister Téte António, and “President João Lourenço talking to the presidents of other countries,” which “is extremely positive, I would say, for the CPLP” (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries), currently chaired by Luanda.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs will travel to Brasilia next Thursday for an official visit that will serve mainly to organize the preparations of the Luso-Brazilian summit, a diplomatic source told Lusa. According to a note from the Brazilian diplomatic office, João Gomes Cravinho will meet with his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia.
The visit will serve to prepare the trip of the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to Portugal, from April 22 to 25, for meetings with the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, and the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
