MOSCOW, April 6 (NNN-ANGOP) — Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço distinguished the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the Order of Agostinho Neto, which is Angola’s highest official decoration.
This decoration bestowed on President Putin is a recognition of the Angolan State of the support the European country has given to Angola since the early days of the African country’s independence.
“If there’s anyone who deserves to receive such recognition is definitely the Russian people”, Lourenço has said.
Through Putin, reiterated the Angolan Head of State, “we thank the Russian people for all the support it gave and continues to give to the Angolan people”.
The distinction “Order of Agostinho Neto” so far was already awarded to Nelson Mandela (1990), José Eduardo dos Santos (1991), Kenneth Kaunda (1992), Omar Bongo (1992), Aristides Pereira (1992), Quett Masire (1992), Joaquim Chissano (1992), Manuel Pinto da Costa (1992), Fidel Castro (1992), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (2019) and now Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, before the decoration ceremony Vladimir Putin and João Lourenço held a private meeting in which the two statesmen analysed the expansion of the bilateral co-operation in areas like trade, economy, humanitarian assistance, as well as pertinent current international and regional matters.
On the occasion, the Russian President invited his Angolan counterpart to attend the Russia-Africa Forum, scheduled for Oct 24, this year.
Lourenço since last Tuesday is on official visit to Russia at the invitation of Putin in enhancing bilateral co-operation relations. — NNN-ANGOP
