Delegation of the Angolan Higher Institute for International Relations visited IFAT

As part of an official visit to Hungary, the delegation of the Angolan Higher Institute for International Relations (Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais, ISRI) had a round of meetings at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade on October 17. The delegation was led by Matias Pires, the scientific director of the Angolan partner institute. The teams of ISRI and IFAT had exchanges on their respective practices of managing an institute dedicated to the research of foreign affairs, as well as several topics related to current events on the international agenda, such as Brexit, EU-Russia relations and energy politics, German-Hungarian relations and the war in Syria. After a work lunch, Dr. Amaral da Silva Lala, assistant professor at the ISRI, held a public lecture on the role of Angola in the crisis prevention, resolution and peacekeeping in Africa.

Professor Lala talked about the historical aspects of Angola’s role in today’s challenges, and its vested interest in spreading the culture of peace. He emphasised the achievements of his country regarding the implementation of peace on the regional level. The Professor mentioned concrete actions, like the work within the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the organisation of elections or the promotion of dialogues, which help the neighbouring countries on their way to political stability. He highlighted that the priorities of Angola’s new president are, besides the implementation of peace, the economic diversity and development of the country. Answering questions from the audience, the Professor expressed Angola’s desire to consolidate the conflict in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while emphasizing that highest priority for Angola remains the maintenance of peace for its people. He also touched upon the topic of refugees, regarding which Angola tries to find the perfect balance between solidarity and security.