Joint communiqué European Union - Angola joint way forward 18:18 The EU and Angola issued a joint communiqué following the 7th EU-Angola ‘Joint way forward’ ministerial meeting[...]

1. On 26 February 2026, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Angola held the seventh Ministerial Meeting, co-chaired by H.E. the Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Angola Téte António and H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Maxime Prévot, on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It was organised under the Angola-EU Joint Way Forward (JWF) in Brussels, following the 6^th Ministerial meeting held on 7 December 2023.
2. The EU-Angola Joint Way Forward is a specific framework for dialogue and cooperation based on common interests and shared values.
3. In the opening session, both parties highlighted the importance of the ongoing strategic dialogue and its role in the strengthening of a unique platform to discuss and strengthen EU-Angola bilateral relations as well as regional, continental and global questions. The Ministerial Meeting covered the spectrum of Angola-EU cooperation, including political, regional, peace and security developments, a further strengthening of bilateral cooperation, trade and investment relations as well as cooperation in multilateral fora. The Parties continue to view the Joint Way Forward as a strategic framework that allows them to further deepen their partnership in order to address jointly current and future challenges.
4. The EU congratulated Angola on hosting the 7^th AU-EU Summit under the theme "Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism" from 24-25 November 2025 in Luanda, during Angola's Presidency of the African Union, which delivered a strong message in support of multilateralism, a strengthened AU-EU partnership and a shared commitment to a rules-based international order with the UN at its core.
5. Both parties welcomed the adoption of the joint declaration of the 7th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the AU and EU and emphasized the progress in relations between the two continents and the importance of the commitments made in the "Luanda Declaration of 2025".

POLITICAL, PEACE & SECURITY

1. Both sides underlined the importance of a reinforced political, peace and security dialogue and agreed to continue consultations in these areas. They expressed their joint commitment towards good governance and enhanced democratic processes, through promoting inclusive, credible and transparent elections, and respect for international law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
2. Both sides commended the long-standing AU-EU cooperation and the role of Angola on peace, security and governance, including conflict prevention, peace mediation and stabilisation, premised on African-led solutions.
3. In line with their commitment to the implementation of the Pact for the Future, both sides reiterated their support for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC) towards making it more effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic, and accountable and better reflecting today's realities by strengthening the voice of underrepresented regions.
4. Both sides stressed the need for continued reforms towards a more inclusive, efficient and representative international financial architecture.
5. Both sides highlighted the need for greater economic security, diversification of supply chains and continued global cooperation to minimise the global consequences of the current geopolitical context, including through facilitation of market access for food and agricultural products and investments in strategic sectors.
6. Concerning ongoing conflicts and wars, the European Union and Angola underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter in its entirety, including the sovereign equality of States, the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, political independence, the prohibition on the threat or use of force and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Both sides also affirmed that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, regardless of the geographical location of the conflict.
7. Both parties reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Recognising the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war, the European Union and Angola welcomed all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in conformity with the UN Charter.
8. Regarding security situation in several African contexts, both parties reiterated the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts including the humanitarian and security crisis in Eastern DRC, the Sahel and Sudan and the peace and reconciliation process in the Central African Republic. Both sides reaffirmed their support to the constitutional order, expressing their strong rejection of changes of government through unconstitutional means. Both parties reiterated their support as well to regional and multilateral initiatives and expressed their will to promote EU-UN-AU trilateral cooperation.
9. The EU congratulated the Republic of Angola on its ratification of the Samoa Agreement. Both sides expressed their willingness to work together to further deepen cooperation in areas of common interest at the international level, as set out under the Samoa Agreement.
10. Both sides recalled the conclusions of the Angola-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in March 2024 as well as of the annual political dialogue on human rights organised under the Samoa Agreement in January 2024.
11. They agreed to organise as soon as possible the next Joint EU-Angola Human Rights Working Group and Human Rights Dialogue.
12. Both sides confirmed their commitment to further consolidate and increase the scope of their dialogue on peace and security. The EU acknowledged Angola's efforts for peace at regional and continental level and welcomed its leadership in mediation efforts, commending the crucial engagement on the peace process for the Great Lakes. The EU is looking forward to working even closer with the African Union Commission and the Chairperson on this.
13. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue on security and defence. As host nation to the Zone A Centre of the Yaoundé Architecture, Angola welcomed the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences concept and the EU offered its advice and collaboration to make the Zone A Centre fully operational and open the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) in Luanda as soon as feasible. They looked forward to enhanced collaboration, including port visits, training exercises at sea, training on the Yaoundé Architecture Regional Information System (YARIS), improving the legal framework and operating procedures, and capacity building for improved law enforcement at sea.
14. Both sides compared their analysis of the Southern and Central sub-regions of the African Continent in the Framework of Regional Organisations, with emphasis on the African Union (AU), SADC, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Gulf of Guinea Commission.
15. Angola and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, security, and regional stability through enhanced cooperation and connectivity. In this context, both parties highlighted the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor as a driver of sustainable development and national and regional integration. They acknowledged the EU and its Member States' role as trusted partners in advancing governance, resilience, and inclusive growth along this vital route.

POLICY PRIORITIES FOR COOPERATION

1. The European Union reaffirmed its robust commitment to supporting the reform agenda of the Republic of Angola aimed at promoting good governance, diversifying the economy, and stabilising the macroeconomic situation, while deepening the partnership between the EU and Angola and implementing the Global Gateway Strategy.
2. Both sides acknowledged the relevance of the 2021-2027 Multi-Annual Indicative Programme's priorities, which are aligned with the development pillars and impact filters of the National Development Plan 2023-2027 of Angola - namely: (i) sustainable economic diversification, including sustainable agriculture value chains, renewable energy and enhancement of trade and investments; (ii) good governance and social inclusion with emphasis on rule of law, institutional strengthening, digital and economic governance (including public finance management) and social protection, and (iii) human development, with a focus on technical vocational education and training as well as higher education, including science and technology - and of the Team Europe Initiative to support Angola's economic diversification.
3. In this context, both sides welcomed the positive progress achieved on the projects assigned under the EU-Angola Dialogue Facility. Both sides acknowledged that a continuous dialogue at technical level is important for the implementation of the EU Multiannual Indicative Programme.
4. Both parties also acknowledged the progress made in digital governance, administrative simplification, and anti-corruption, while emphasizing at the same time the necessity to sustain these efforts, as they remain essential to transforming the business environment and strengthening investors' confidence.
5. Both sides emphasized that the Lobito Corridor represents a structuring axis designed to drive national and regional industrialization, and that the partnership with the European Union provides essential financial, technological, and logistical capacity to accelerate its full potential.
6. Both sides discussed the significance of the Global Gateway strategy for Angola and more particularly the Lobito Corridor flagship initiative, which can be further strengthened through the implementation of the Angola-EU Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement. In this context, both sides highlighted the Corridor's critical role in regional integration, economic diversification, and sustainable development, with sustained EU backing to unlock its full potential as a major human and economic development artery in the region. This was also confirmed during the Lobito Corridor scale-up session held during the Global Gateway Forum in October 2025.
7. Both sides recognized the importance of the sectors targeted for investments in a Team Europe approach along the corridor. These include technical and vocational training and higher education to provide young women and men with essential skills. It also includes supporting the dynamization of local productive capacities.
8. They also emphasized biodiversity and eco-tourism through the enhancement of the Cameia National Park, development of logistics platforms, strengthening of resilient agricultural value chains, support for responsible fisheries and the blue economy, as well as backing for renewable electricity generation and distribution.
9. They emphasized the critical importance of meaningfully involving all stakeholders in the development of the Lobito Corridor. This includes government entities, the private sector, and civil society organisations active along the Corridor. To support this inclusive process, the European Union has allocated EUR 10 million to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations.
10. Both sides are strongly committed to strengthening pandemic preparedness, prevention and response and supporting the development of local manufacturing of health products in Africa. Both sides agreed to support a reform of the global health architecture that prioritises health security with a One Health Approach, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), equity and the transition to health sovereignty with more effective and resilient country-led health systems, within a robust and efficient multilateral system at the global level, with the World Health Assembly (WHO) at its core. The sides intend to continue preventing emerging zoonotic diseases through the PREZODE initiative.
11. Both sides highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and humanitarian response focusing on the most vulnerable, and acknowledged EU's humanitarian aid, including to strengthen regional capacities for disaster preparedness. They agreed on the need for reliable, up-to-date data to guide emergency responses.
12. Both sides noted the outcome of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) held in Belém on November 2025 and looked forward to the 31st UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31).
13. Both sides stressed the importance of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, including strengthening climate change mitigation as well as adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change. In line with the first global stock take (GST 1), they acknowledged the need to step up the global efforts agreed in pursuit of keeping the 1.5°C goal within reach and implementing their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and adaptation communications.
14. Both sides stressed that the energy transition must be fair and recognise the importance of energy security while safe and sustainable low carbon energies and technologies are developed.
15. Both sides agreed that an accelerated just and safe and sustainable low carbon energy transition towards climate neutrality is also the key solution ensuring energy security and universal access to safe and sustainable, energy. They also agreed on the need to implement the global goals for tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, while pursuing efforts contributing to energy savings and transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, in particular reduction on methane emissions, so as to achieve net zero by 2050. The establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Central Africa (CEREEAC) in Luanda is an important step in accelerating the energy and climate transition advancing these goals as well as in creating regional cohesion within the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) region.
16. In an effort to address unprecedented biodiversity loss and depletion of natural resources, and in accordance with the commitments undertaken under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, both parties emphasized the importance of revising Angola's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) so as to ensure its full alignment with the updated global goals and targets, as well as mainstreaming biodiversity in national policies.
17. They further reaffirmed their support for the effective implementation of the revised NBSAP, including its accompanying Biodiversity Finance Plan, which constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for the sustainability and long-term viability of Angola's biodiversity objectives and related actions. They also reiterated their shared commitment to halting deforestation by 2030, in line with the 2021 Leaders' Declaration on Forest and Land Use signed at the UNFCCC COP26 in Glasgow. Both sides commended the work engaged by the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.
18. The EU and Angola welcomed the imminent entry into force of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The EU invited Angola to join the High Ambition Coalition that supports the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. The EU also supported the development of a sustainable blue economy.
19. Both sides agreed to combat plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments, by contributing constructively to the conclusion of negotiations on a legally binding global treaty on plastics and promoting safe, sustainable, and affordable alternatives.
20. Both sides welcomed the adoption of legislation on the progressive elimination of plastics in Angola.
21. Both sides reiterated their ongoing commitment to breaking the link between the illegal exploitation of natural resources and the sustaining of armed groups and other actors undermining security, stability and the rule of law.
22. Both sides recalled their ongoing support to the Regional Initiative on Natural Resources of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, contributing to due diligence for responsible supply chains of minerals, and to actions to improve the governance of parks and protected areas.

ANGOLA-EU TRADE AND INVESTMENT COOPERATION

1. The EU congratulated Angola for joining the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area on 8 June 2025, which opens the way forward to Angola's accession to the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
2. Both sides concurred on the importance of promoting investments that strengthen local industrialization, develop national value chains, facilitate technology transfer, and increase local content, thereby directly contributing to the creation of skilled employment opportunities for young people in Angola.
3. With the purpose to strengthening bilateral, regional and continental trade and investment flows and trade diversification efforts, both sides noted the importance of Angola's accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
4. Both sides recognised the importance of accelerating efforts on the accession of Angola to the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement with the objective to expand trade and trade diversification between EU and Angola. The EU declared its readiness to start negotiations as soon as Angola is ready, building on the technical process that took place between the two sides.
5. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical assistance to Angola in the negotiation and implementation of the EU-SADC EPA and reiterated its continued support for the implementation of the AfCFTA.
6. Both sides emphasised the importance of the entry into force of the EU-Angola Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement on 1 September 2024, as well as the first meeting of the Angola-EU Committee on Investment Facilitation, which took place in Luanda on 21 January 2025. Driven by the critical need to attract and retain sustainable foreign direct investment in Angola, the two sides confirmed their steadfast commitment to accelerate and thoroughly implement the Agreement, which offers a solid base to work towards improving Angola's investment climate for the purposes of economic diversification and sustainable development.
7. Both sides, highlighting the positive results of the EU-Angola Business Forum held on 17 November 2023, looked forward to the organisation of the upcoming Business Forum in May 2026. These events bring together representatives of private sector, public authorities and European development finance institutions, with the joint aim to improve business-to-business linkages, enhance the investment climate, and attract investment to Angola.
8. The EU welcomed Angola's interest for enhanced cooperation in the fields of sustainable fisheries and blue economy, and its willingness to initiate discussions on a possible Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with the EU. Both parties intend to continue discussions about the fulfilment of the pre-conditions for a SFPA, including the assessment of the possible coexistence of Angola's legislative framework with a SFPA's legal framework, the existence of a surplus of a scientifically demonstrated fisheries resource and interest for the fish species.
9. Both sides reiterated their joint commitment to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

FOLLOW-UP

1. The EU and Angola reiterated their full intention to maintaining the Joint Way Forward as a forum for constructive dialogue and cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, openness, and a commitment to promoting multilateralism, human rights, democracy, rule of law and transparency. Such a partnership allows continued future cooperation with a view to tackling bilateral, regional and global challenges in the mutual interest of the Republic of Angola and the EU.
2. Progress in the implementation of the partnership, including under the modalities foreseen under the Joint Way Forward, will be reviewed every six months. Both sides tasked their Senior Officials to explore ways to improve coordination, foster compliance, support transparency and the achievement of shared strategic objectives.
3. It was agreed that the next (eighth) Ministerial Meeting would take place in Luanda. A Senior Officials meeting would take place beforehand to take stock of the progress made and to prepare the next Ministerial Meeting.