Luanda - National Assembly Speaker Carolina Cerqueira praised Friday the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his unwavering commitment to democracy, social justice and humanitarian values.
The Angolan Parliament leader was speaking at the National Assembly, on the occasion of the State visit of the President of Brazil to Angola, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Carolina Cerqueira highlighted Lula da Silva's merit as "a great statesman, diplomat, intransigent defender of the most underprivileged and one of the greatest politicians of the 21st century".
She maintained that her unshakable commitment to democracy, social justice and humanitarian values has been a source of inspiration "for all those who fight for a fairer world, which takes care of all people, but above all those who need it most ".
According to Carolina Cerqueira, Lula da Silva's visit to Angola, in his first year in office, "clearly demonstrates his priorities, his esteem, his proximity policy and his non-negotiable commitment to development, sustainability and respect for socio-cultural heritage".
She recalled that, since the first steps of the country's independence, in 1975, Brazil, the first country to recognise it, demonstrated its trust in Angolans.
Parliamentary cooperation
The leader of the Angolan Parliament expressed willingness to boost inter-parliamentary cooperation relations with the Brazilian National Congress through the exchange of experiences.
In this regard, she considered it necessary to establish periodic conversations within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy and in common efforts for peace, world stability and sustainable development.
The Speaker said these common efforts will enhance the cultural matrix and identity of the Portuguese language.
She noted that the Brazilian statesman that the National Assembly is the center of the highest political and democratic debate in Angola, which aims to ensure plurality and the participation of all Angolans in the political decision-making processes regarding the country's destiny.
The MP highlighted the fact that, in the current legislature, there has been an increase in women and young deputies representing the ruling MPLA and the opposition UNITA, PRS, FNLA and PHA parties.
Carolina Cerqueira recalled, on the other hand, that bilateral cooperation between Angola and Brazil, within the scope of parliamentary diplomacy, is supported by the protocol of cooperation signed in 2006.
She also highlighted the fact that the Permanent Secretariat of the CPLP Parliamentary Assembly will be based in Luanda, more precisely in the premises of the Angolan parliament.
"Interestingly, the idea of creating a permanent secretariat was born from a brilliant initiative during the meeting in Brasilia, today finally materialized, translating into an added value in guaranteeing the effectiveness of the administrative support of the CPLP parliamentary assembly", she concluded. DC/SC/ADR/NIC
