Angolan ties with liberal Korean leaders
Considering that more than 50 percent of Korea’s GDP comes from exports and it imports most of its industrial raw materials, we agree to the view that Korea needs to see Africa from the viewpoint of enlightened national interest, facing global issues, from international financial stability and prosperity to peace and conflict prevention, as a reliable and respectable partner in a long-term perspective. Korea is a country with the economic clout to make a real difference on global issues.
Korea is in an exceptional position to help African countries to improve their education systems and provide the foundation for appropriate technologies, knowledge transfer and capacity building in Africa. This support could play a key role strengthening agricultural productivity, stimulate innovative investments and foster the development of new industries.
On the other hand, it is strongly recommended that the Moon Jae-in administration establishes new bilateral official development assistance (ODA) soft loan programs to help African countries spur economic growth and encompass a number of areas, including industrial diversification, agricultural and rural development, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) promotion, information and communications technology (ICT), science technology advancement and export promotion policy.
Through diplomatic channels we have been able to share the experience of Angola, especially in terms of pacification and national reconciliation. Recently we delivered a message from the president of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to his Korean counterpart, where he highlights the position of the Angolan government on denuclearization, peace and unification of the Korean Peninsula.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Angola and Korea in 1992 and subsequent signing of the General Agreement on Economic and Technical-Scientific Cooperation, our strategic partnership has produced positive results with the continuous expansion of economic exchanges between the two countries.
When President Jose Eduardo dos Santos visited Seoul in 2001, late President Kim Dae-jung reaffirmed the importance of closer cooperation ties and paved the way for the establishment of embassies from both sides. Thus, through the increased exchange of delegations at the ministerial level, we have been able to work closely with our Korean counterparts in order to implement mechanisms to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.