LUANDA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni Silveri said here on Monday that the choice of Angola as the first stop of his Africa tour confirms the importance of the friendly ties between Italy and Angola.
Paolo Gentiloni Silveri, who arrived in the Angolan capital on a two-day working visit on Sunday, told a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Lourenco at the end of their talks that there is a lot to be done to consolidate cooperation between the two countries.
The Italian leader said the future of Europe goes through Africa, pointing out the influence of the Mediterranean in the culture of the two continents.
For his part, Angolan President Lourenco urged small and medium-sized Italian enterprises to invest in Angola and contribute to the diversification of the country's economy.
Lourenco said it is essential that Angola's cooperation with Italy extends to the agriculture-industry and fisheries sectors.
Angola is Italy's third largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
Italy was the first European country to recognize the independence of Angola, on Feb. 18, 1976.
