Brazil interested in helping Angola develop defence capacity

Visiting Brazilian Defence Minister Celso Amorim said here on Tuesday his country was interested in working with Angola to build up the defence capacity of the African country. Speaking to journalists after a courtesy meeting with Angolan Foreign Minister Georges Chikoti, Celso Amorim said his visit to Angola was aimed at strengthening the existing strategic partnership in the field of defence between the two countries. He said he had discussed with Angolan officials on issues of health, training and joint exercises between the two countries. The Brazilian defence chief said Brazilian businessmen in his delegation expressed interests in cooperating with Angola in the defence field. "The simple fact that these business people have come to Angola shows that the interest is not restricted to selling alone, but also to seek partnerships and joint investment possibilities as this is important for the country's development," he said. During Monday's meeting with Angolan Defence Minister Candido Pereira Van-Dunem, Celso Amorim described military cooperation as a pillar to the strategic partnership between Angola and Brazil, as the African country asked for help from Brazil to build up its own national defense industry. He stressed the military industry was an important basis as it offers autonomous capacity to protect the interests of each country and helps to promote jobs and growth in the national economy. For his part, Candido Pereira Van-Dunem said his country hoped to establish its national military industry with the help of Brazil to reduce its dependence on the purchase of logistics from foreign countries. Celso Amorim arrived in Luadan on Monday for a two-day official visit to Angola. He was accompanied by senior officers from the Brazilian armed forces and a large number of entrepreneurs from the Brazilian defence industry.