LUANDA.— Cuban First Vice President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, arrived in Angola on Tuesday, March 17, for a three-day official visit, within the context of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
“We come to Angola to ratify our friendship, brotherhood. We are united with Angola by very fond ties,” he said on arrival at the capital's international airport, where he was warmly received by Angolan Foreign Minister, Georges Chicoty.
Speaking briefly to the press, Díaz-Canel, expressed, “in Angola we have part of our historic and cultural roots,” and referred to, “our struggle for the abolition of slavery, for independence and later the joint battle with Angola to liberate the peoples of Africa and eradicate apartheid. It has been a common struggle.”
This year marks 40 years of independence of this African country and the establishment of relations between Cuba and Angola.
DÍAZ-CANEL PAYS HOMAGE TO AGOSTINHO NETO AND COMANDANTE DÍAZ ARGÜELLES
The Cuban First Vice President explained that, “It was impossible to come to Angola and not visit the Memorial to Neto,” as he lay a wreath to the first president of Angola, whom he described as, “one of those essential and necessary men in history that never die because the grateful peoples will never allow him to die.”
After visiting the Memorial, Díaz-Canel held a working meeting with Minister of State and Chief of Civil House, Edeltrudes da Costa, who stated that the history of his young country was permanently marked by the enormous sacrifices made by the sister nation of Cuba.
On Wednesday, 18 March, Díaz-Canel continued his tour of the country, paying tribute to the Cuban internationalist fighter, Comandante Raúl Díaz Argüelles, who fell in combat on December 11, 1975, in Angola.
“This modest tribute to Comandante Argüelles also includes heartfelt recognition of those who gave their lives in the heroic feats of Angola,” he said after laying a wreath at the tomb in the capital’s Alto das Cruces cemetery.
The First Vice President reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to Angola, stating, “What each one of us can contribute to the development of Angola also pays tribute to and honors the memory of those who fought in these lands to safeguard their independence and self-determination, and exalts the legacy of men like Comandante Raúl Díaz Argüelles.”
General Clemente Conjuca, Angolan Secretary of State and Minister of Former Combatants and Veterans of the Homeland, referred to Comandante Argüelles as, “a worthy son of Cuba and an old friend of President Agostinho Neto.”
Díaz-Canel also met with the Secretary General of the governing People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Julian Mateus Paulo, and noted the key role played by the party in the independence struggle as well as the establishment of relations between the two republics of Angola and Cuba.
During his trip, the Cuban leader met with the President of the National Assembly, Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos, and Angolan Vice President, Manuel Vicente, as well as Cuban health collaborators and staff at the country’s embassy in Luanda.
This Thursday, the First Vice President will continue his tour of Africa, travelling to Namibia for the inauguration of the President elect, Hage G. Geingob.
