His Majesty King Letsie III says Lesotho and Angola have for a considerable time maintained warm fraternal relations.
This, he said on Thursday when receiving a letter of credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Lesotho, Ms. Maria Filomena De Fatima Lobao Telo Delgado at the Royal Palace in Maseru.
He said these warm relations of friendship and cooperation are anchored on their common membership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), saying they however believe that there is more room for them to elevate their bilateral relations to a higher level where they can increase their economic and commercial cooperation in areas of common interest such as diamond mining, a sector in which both their countries have made some recognizable strides.
He said should they share this goal of increased bilateral cooperation, it would be prudent that they negotiate a general agreement of cooperation which will serve as a framework for forging partnerships in a wide range of sectors that include mining, trade and science and technology to mention a few.
“It is our hope and wish that during your tenure as Ambassador of Angola to the Kingdom of Lesotho you will work closely with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations to ensure that these objectives could be attained,” he said.
He acknowledged that Angola has played a leading role in helping Lesotho during her times of need thus including when Angola was Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security where she contributed most of the troops to the SADC Preventive Mission to Lesotho (SAPMIL).
He added that at the end of the mission, Angola donated a considerable amount of equipment that was used by its contingent to the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF), saying these selfless and generous gestures are a clear demonstration that Angola is strongly committed to the idea of seeking African solutions to Africa’s problems.
King indicated that over and above SADC, Lesotho and Angola share common membership in a number of other international organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), saying given the warm relations between their two countries, their delegations and diplomatic representatives to these organizations have to make efforts to consult each other, share notes and ideas so that they can stand together on issues of mutual interest and on issues that advance economic and political development of their region and the continent.
He concluded by wishing the Ambassador the very best in her assignment to their court and further assured her of the unwavering support of the government of Lesotho and Basotho nation in the execution of her duties.
Presenting her letter of credence, Ms. Delgado said although relations between their two countries date back to the days of the fight against the racist regime of apartheid and the freedom of their entire Southern Region, they have not yet reached the desired levels of cooperation that can be translated into the real economic growth and subsequently the improvement of the lives of their two peoples.
She said despite the importance of historical and cultural ties that bind African countries much more can be achieved in the interest of its people, saying it is fundamental to enhance political, economic, social and techno-scientific bilateral relations.
“I would like to reiterate my government’s interest and commitment in exploring ways to cooperate in order to elevate the existing relations between the two countries based on the respect of each country’s sovereignty and mutual benefits,” she said.
She noted that in the framework of regional integration, it is crucial to work on the effective free movement of people, goods and services between their nations which she said would lead to progress, development and well-being of populations. She added that aims to strengthen the friendship, solidarity and cooperation relations, the necessary actions will be taken into consideration so this goal becomes a reality.
She stated that it is their goal to be able to sign bilateral legal instruments that will enhance the current level of cooperation that is far from the one expected from two brother countries belonging to the same regional organizations.
She highlighted that it is her profound desire and engagement to work closer with Basotho authorities in order to further develop the bilateral cooperation reaching a significant level that both countries are able to benefit from each other’s political support, know-how experiences and resources.
The Diplomatic relations between Lesotho and Angola were established in 1983, however, there has never been any bilateral agreement signed between the two countries therefore it is prudent for the two countries to work towards the establishment and signing of the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation.
In 2021, the government of Angola demonstrated leadership and solidarity by assisting Lesotho to transport a contingent of the LDF that was being deployed to the SADC Mission in Mozambique which is aimed at restoring peace and stability in the troubled areas of northern Mozambique.
Source: LENA 21/04/2022