Brazil to support Angola as Security Council member

Following a meeting with Angola's President José Eduardo dos Santos on Monday (June 16), President Dilma Rousseff expressed the Brazilian government's support to the candidacy of Angola as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The two governments have also signed an agreement on mutual visa granting.

Under the agreement, business visas can be extended from three months to two years. During this period, business travelers from each country will be allowed to travel freely between the two countries provided that the length of stay in their respective destination countries does not exceed three consecutive months each time.

By emphasizing “Angola's important role” in the democratic reconstruction of such African countries as Guinea-Bissau, Rousseff said she is pleased to announce Brazil's support to Angola's candidacy for UN Security Council membership in the next biennium (2015-2017). “I am convinced that Angola can provide careful and balanced insight into the current challenges to international peace and security,” Rousseff said.

José Eduardo dos Santos thanked the Brazilian government for the support and noted that Angola is Brazil's third leading trading partner in Africa. He said he hopes the agreement can pave the way for more African business investments in Brazil.

According to the Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty), Brazil is the fourth biggest supplier to the Angolan market. Bilateral trade is reported to have grown close to 36% between 2009 and 2013.

“We would like to highlight the progress of cooperation between our countries in the area of defense. The National Air Force of Angola bought six Super Tucano aircraft in 2009, which have all been delivered by now,” Rousseff said.

Translated by Mayra Borges