Greek diplomacy continues forging new alliances in Africa

While neighbouring Turkey remains diplomatically isolated, Greece continues forging new alliances and friends around the world, with African nations on the agenda this week.

On Sunday, 9 January, Greece's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias,  travelled to Nigeria and today Monday, 10 January he will visit Angola, where he will hold meetings with senior officials of both countries.

While in Nigeria, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to meet with his counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama. Following their talks, the two Foreign Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Bilateral Cooperation.

During his stay in Nigeria, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias is also expected to meet with the Minister of State for Health, Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, and then with the Vice President of Nigeria, Oluyemi Oluleboy "Yemi" Osinbajo.

On Tuesday, January 11, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be in Angola where he is expected to meet with his counterpart, Tete António.

Following their talks, the two Foreign Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Bilateral Cooperation. Joint statements to the press are expected to follow.

Minister of Foreign Affairs is then expected to meet with Minister of Health, Silvia Lutucuta. Afterwards, he will visit Lubango Sports School where a Greek donation will be made, in the presence of Deputy Minister for Youth, Fernando Francisco João.

On the same day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold a meeting with Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel José Nunes Júnior.

On Wednesday, January 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to be received by the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço.

The aforementioned talks in both Nigeria and Angola, which are part of a broader plan to further develop Greek foreign policy on the African continent, will focus, inter alia, on regional and international developments, our joint effort to tackle the pandemic, as well as on strengthening political and economic bilateral relations with emphasis on investment.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to highlight Greece's foreign policy priorities, which are based on adherence to International Law and good neighbourly relations.

In this context, he is expected to refer to challenges in our neighbourhood, as well as to our candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2025-26 term.

As part of Greece's continued assistance to third countries in combating the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to announce the donation of COVID-19 vaccines: 900,000 doses to Nigeria, through the COVAX Facility, and 100,000 to Angola.