22.09.2011.

Opening of possibilities for cooperation with Angola

Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac said at the end of an official visit to Angola, that there are exceptional opportunities for cooperation with that country in defense, but also economic, since it is a country that is developing rapidly.

During the visit Sutanovac had official talks with the President of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of the National Assembly, Roberto Antonio Victor Francisco de Almeida and Defense Minister Candido Dos Santos Pereiro Van Dunema.

"The most important part of discussions related to military cooperation pertained to military health care, that is, to the possibility of constructing a military hospital in Luanda, which would be modeled after the Military Medical Academy. It would also be a center for the training of and, of course treatment, both of members of the Angolan army and civilians, "said Sutanovac.

He stressed that the fact that the Serbian delegation had been rec3eived by the Angolian statesmen indicated that there is a high level of understanding and need for cooperation.

"There is great interest in the reconstruction of military bases, in building factories to produce ammunition and uniforms. We believe, indeed, that in a very short period our industry will get jobs in Angola, which enable the development of both the Angolan army, and our industry, "said the minister.

Furthermore, Sutanovac observed that the top statesmen of Angola showed special interest in cooperation in military education, especially for studies at the University of Defence.

"We talked about the training of officers and cadets from Angola in Serbia, as well as the possibility of training of the representatives of the civil society in our country. We expect very soon a number of cadets from Angola on our military academy, "said Minister Sutanovac added that during the discussions and education offered to our officers in Angola. "I believe that the exchanges in the field of education are very important, taking into account that a large number of officers and government officials in Angola speak Serbian, due to the fact that they were at the Military Academy during the 80-ies," said Sutanovac.

During the several-day visit to Angola, the delegation of the Ministry of Defence had discussions in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Angola, visited the military school, military hospital and air force and naval bases.

Also, Sutanovac laid a wreath at the memorial to the first President of Angola, Antonio Agostino Neto.