Havana: Parliament Speakers of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira, and Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hern¡ndez, signed the renewal of the Parliamentary Cooperation Protocol at the Cuban National Capitol, revitalizing parliamentary relations between the two nations.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the agreement, originally in force since July 2012, now includes new areas of cooperation, focusing on the exchange of experiences and knowledge through parliamentary delegations.

The updated protocol aims to develop collaboration between the two parliaments and implement support and solidarity initiatives, alongside strengthening parliamentary administrations through training and capacity building. It outlines the principles, areas, and instruments of cooperation between Angola and Cuba.

In addition, the Secretaries-General of the National Assemblies of Angola, Pedro Agostinho de Neri, and Cuba, Homero Acosta Alvarez, signed the Parliamentary Cooperation Program. This program, which runs from 2025 to 2027, seeks to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and modernization of parliamentary services. It highlights areas such as parliamentary support, infrastructure management, health, hygiene, occupational safety, information technology, and institutional communication.

The activities under this program will be conducted in both Angola and Cuba, involving internships, seminars, short courses, and delegation exchanges. These initiatives were preceded by discussions between Angolan and Cuban delegations, reaffirming the historic ties of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation.

Carolina Cerqueira expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Havana and emphasized the importance of revitalizing the Parliamentary Cooperation Protocol to reflect contemporary changes. She discussed the functioning of the Angolan parliament, its challenges, and the legislature's current priorities, highlighting their focus on parliamentary diplomacy.

Cerqueira also noted Angola's active participation in multilateral forums addressing global issues such as food security, climate crisis, pandemics, armed conflicts, gender equality, and youth's role in future nation-building. The delegation included several deputies and the Angolan Ambassador to Cuba, marking a new dynamic in interparliamentary cooperation and strengthening the historic bonds between Angola and Cuba.