Luanda: The Speaker of the National Assembly Ado de Almeida met on Wednesday with ambassadors of Ukraine, Sudan, and the Netherlands accredited to Angola, with whom he discussed strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and bilateral cooperation.

According to Angola Press News Agency, Ukrainian diplomat Andril Kasianov described the meeting as constructive and expressed interest in developing structured inter-parliamentary cooperation with Angola. This includes enhancing parliamentary friendship groups between the two nations. Kasianov underscored the importance of inter-parliamentary diplomacy in boosting cooperation in areas such as the economy, defense, science, culture, and humanitarian action. He also confirmed plans to invite a delegation from the National Assembly of Angola for an official visit to Ukraine. The diplomat noted that strengthening ties between the Angolan parliament and European Union countries could further bilateral relations and benefit the involved populations.

Sudanese ambassador Abderaoul Amir Ali Amir highlighted the severe humanitarian situation in Sudan, characterized by over three years of armed conflict leading to infrastructure destruction and an unprecedented crisis. Data presented indicated approximately 20 million Sudanese are displaced, including internally displaced persons and refugees in neighboring countries, accounting for nearly half of Sudan's population. The Sudanese diplomat expressed gratitude for the support from the National Assembly's leader and the President of Angola, seeking Angola's aid in mediation efforts and peace promotion, alongside a desire for stronger bilateral relations.

Henny De Vries, the diplomat from the Netherlands, discussed initiatives to enhance parliamentary cooperation, including exchanges between deputies and expanded collaboration in commercial, agro-logistics, cultural, and sporting domains. De Vries highlighted Dutch involvement in the Lobito Corridor and support for the Ca¡la agro-logistics platform's creation, reaffirming the Netherlands' commitment to investing in Angola's economic development. He emphasized the significance of cooperation between friendly nations in a fragmented international context and recalled that the Netherlands was among the first to recognize Angola's independence.