Brussels, Feb. 27, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Union (EU) and Angola have pledged to strengthen bilateral relations, with a particular focus on the development of the Lobito Corridor, and to cooperate in international forums, advocating for the reform of the UN Security Council.
These commitments were made in a joint statement released on THursday evening after a meeting in Brussels between Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António and his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Prévot, who represented the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
The statement notes that discussions focused on "strengthening bilateral cooperation, trade and investment relations, and cooperation in multilateral forums," with particular emphasis on the importance of the Lobito Corridor in this cooperation.
"Both parties emphasised that the Lobito Corridor is a structuring axis designed to boost national and regional industrialisation, and that the partnership with the EU adds financial, technological and logistical capacity essential to accelerate its full potential," it reads.
The two parties emphasise the fundamental role of this project in regional integration, economic diversification and sustainable development, with the sustained support of the EU to unlock its full potential as an important artery for human and economic development in the region.
This is the railway project linking the Port of Lobito in Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, enabling these regions, which are among the richest in the world in natural resources, to export minerals to the global market, as well as economic transformation along its route, boosting local value chains, particularly in adjacent Angolan provinces such as Benguela, Huambo, Bié, Moxico and Moxico Leste.
European investment in the Lobito Corridor already amounts to around €2 billion.
Within the scope of this project, the EU and Angola highlight the importance of "significantly involving all stakeholders", namely "public entities, the private sector and civil society organisations active along the corridor".
"To support this inclusive process, the EU has allocated €10 million to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations," it states.
In addition to calling for closer economic relations, both parties also consider it important to "have a strengthened political, peace and security dialogue and have agreed to continue consultations in these areas".
"Both parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic and accountable, and better reflect current realities, strengthening the voice of under-represented regions," it reads.
In the area of geopolitics and international relations, Brussels and Luanda are in agreement on their position on the war in Ukraine, reiterating their support for the country's "independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders".
"Recognising the humanitarian impact and global effects of the war, the EU and Angola reaffirmed their support for all relevant and constructive initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in full compliance with the United Nations Charter," it reads.
The EU also commends "Angola's role in peace, security and governance, including conflict prevention, mediation and peace stabilisation", highlighting in particular the role it has played in negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to end the conflict in the Great Lakes region.
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