The European Union and the Republic of Angola held their seventh Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on 26 February 2026, reaffirming their commitment to deeper bilateral cooperation across political, economic, security, and environmental areas.
The meeting was co-chaired by Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Téte António, and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, representing the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It took place under the Angola-EU Joint Way Forward (JWF) framework, which both sides described as a strategic platform for bilateral dialogue based on common interests and shared values. The previous ministerial meeting was held on 7 December 2023.
Political and Security Matters
Both sides reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order anchored in the United Nations Charter, including the sovereign equality of states and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. On African security, both parties called for peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts in region. They expressed support for regional and multilateral mediation efforts. Angola’s role in peace mediation, particularly in the Great Lakes region, was acknowledged and commended.
Both sides also backed reform of the UN Security Council to make it more inclusive and reflective of current global realities, and called for a more representative international financial architecture.
On maritime security, Angola welcomed the EU’s Coordinated Maritime Presences concept. Both sides agreed to work towards making the Zone A Centre of the Yaoundé Architecture fully operational and opening the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre in Luanda.
Economic Cooperation and the Lobito Corridor
Trade and investment featured prominently. Both sides welcomed Angola’s accession to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area on 8 June 2025, which opens the path towards Angola joining the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement. The EU confirmed its readiness to begin those accession negotiations when Angola is prepared.
The Lobito Corridor was highlighted as a key driver of regional development and economic diversification. Both parties stressed the importance of inclusive engagement involving government, the private sector, and civil society. The EU has allocated EUR 10 million to strengthen civil society organisations active along the Corridor.
The EU-Angola Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement, which entered into force on 1 September 2024, was noted as a strong foundation for improving Angola’s investment climate. Both sides also looked forward to the next EU-Angola Business Forum planned for May 2026.
Both parties welcomed Angola’s interest in a possible Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the EU and reiterated their shared commitment to combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Climate, Environment, and Health
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and acknowledged the outcomes of COP30, held in Belém in November 2025. They agreed on the need to keep the 1.5°C target within reach and to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030. The establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Central Africa in Luanda was welcomed as an important step in that direction.
On biodiversity, both sides stressed the need to revise Angola’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and reiterated their commitment to halting deforestation by 2030. They also agreed to work towards a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution and welcomed Angola’s adoption of legislation on the progressive elimination of plastics.
On health, both sides committed to strengthening pandemic preparedness and supporting local manufacturing of health products in Africa, within a framework centred on the World Health Organisation.
Next Steps
Both sides agreed to review progress under the Joint Way Forward every six months. The eighth Ministerial Meeting will take place in Luanda, preceded by a Senior Officials meeting to assess progress and prepare the agenda.
