Brussels, Feb. 27, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Union has showed itself ready to negotiate Angola's accession to the European partnership agreement with Southern African countries, within the framework of bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, as discussed at a ministerial meeting in Brussels.

"Both parties recognised the importance of accelerating efforts for Angola's accession to the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, with the aim of expanding trade and diversifying trade between the EU and Angola," reads a statement released on Thursday evening at the end of the meeting, in which Brussels declared itself "ready to start negotiations as soon as Angola is ready, based on the technical process that took place between the two parties".

The economic partnership agreement between the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), covering Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini, facilitates investment and trade between people and companies in the two regions, with the other six countries that make up the SADC negotiating with the EU within the framework of other regions or economic entities.

Thursday's meeting in Brussels, the 7th ministerial meeting and the first since December 2023, was chaired by the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Angola, Téte António, and his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Prévot, on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and organised within the framework of the Angola-EU Joint Path.

The meeting covered the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and, in the field of trade and investment, Brussels referred to Luanda's willingness to "initiate discussions on a possible Partnership Agreement on Sustainable Fisheries (APPS)" with European countries.

"The EU welcomed Angola's interest in strengthening cooperation in the areas of sustainable fisheries and the blue economy, as well as its willingness to start discussions on a possible Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (APPS)" with European countries, the final communiqué states.

Both parties, it added, "intend to continue discussions on the fulfilment of the preconditions for an APPS, including the assessment of the possible coexistence of the Angolan legislative framework with the legal framework of an APPS, the existence of a scientifically proven surplus of fishery resources and the interest in fish species".

The EU and Angola also agreed on a "joint commitment to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing".

The next EU-Angola business forum, scheduled to take place in Luanda from 5 to 7 May, was also highlighted, with ministers stressing that it should bring together "representatives of the private sector, public authorities and European development finance institutions, with the joint aim of improving business links, enhancing the investment climate and attracting investment to Angola".

MBA/AYLS // AYLS

Lusa