Special Interview with Denis C. Sassou N. about the Joint Commission between Venezuela and the Congo
We held a special interview with Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnership of the African country and head of the diplomatic delegation that will participate in this event, about the First Joint Commission between Venezuela and the Congo. During the exchange with our journalist Rolando Segura, the politician addressed issues such as Africa's economic development and the ties that unite this continent with Latin America. teleSUR
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00:00 It is a pleasure to greet you all from Caracas, Venezuela.
00:10 On this occasion, we have the opportunity to talk with the Minister for International
00:13 Cooperation and Promotion of the Public-Private Association of the Republic of the Congo.
00:19 Welcome to Delesur.
00:28 Good morning.
00:29 Thank you very much.
00:31 Your country is coming to Caracas to participate in the first joint commission between the
00:35 two countries with 16 governmental entities and four high-level ministers.
00:42 Why is Venezuela important for the Congo?
00:52 Thank you very much for your attention.
00:54 First of all, I would like to recall that after the initiation of diplomatic relations
01:00 between our two countries in 1965, we started a great cooperation that we have had for 48
01:08 years, which unfortunately has not been very active, even though both countries are very
01:15 similar in many aspects, such as economic sources and hydrocarbons.
01:20 For this reason, our countries must expand their relations.
01:26 History has shown us that the best way to achieve this is through cooperation.
01:34 Only through cooperation, the two countries join forces and develop their relations.
01:42 That is why it is so important that after so many years, we meet again, put the cards
01:48 on the table, and establish new projects that can develop in the future and help improve
01:56 the economy of both countries.
02:22 Here in South America, also in the Caribbean, especially in Venezuela, people tend to say
02:27 that he who doesn't have Congo in him has Carabali, meaning that we have a close relationship
02:37 with Africa.
02:38 Is there the same appreciation from Africa for a region?
02:44 Yes, of course.
02:48 Since we have arrived here, which was yesterday, we have the opportunity to visit a popular
02:55 neighborhood in Caracas, San Agustin.
02:58 There we have the opportunity to interact with Afro-descendants.
03:03 They explain the history of origin and the similarities between the community and the
03:09 African people.
03:11 We Africans see the independent struggles of Latin American countries from a retrospective
03:18 perspective.
03:20 And when we compare those struggles with those of Africa, we feel very close to Latin Americans,
03:29 especially because we see them as brothers.
03:34 Therefore, whenever we visit Venezuela, when we visit, we feel at home.
03:43 And indeed, we have many similarities in the history of our nations.
04:11 You have already had the first meetings of this joint commission.
04:15 Is there any concrete result?
04:20 Yes.
04:21 This morning, we inaugurated the Great Cooperation Commission in the EDSPR segment, where experts
04:31 from both countries are working on the creation of agreements to be signed tomorrow by the
04:36 ministers in the ministerial segment.
04:41 So far, the feedback we have received is that there is a sense of productivity and that
04:48 several agreements will be signed.
05:03 Both Congo and Venezuela are members of the Organization of Veteran Producing and Sporting
05:09 Countries.
05:10 Venezuela is a founder of this organization, and the Congo joined more recently.
05:15 I understand that you have experience in this area.
05:19 How much do you think the two countries can get closer and collaborate on this issue?
05:30 I think that beyond the question of oil, I believe that we can share experiences related
05:35 to exploitation, search, and commercialization mechanism.
05:41 But I think that today we should think about the oil problem and think about the future.
05:47 How to diversify our economies because oil can be an important part of it because it
05:55 can help to diversify and transform us.
05:59 However, as far as oil is concerned, I believe that we can develop energies within framework
06:08 of training because PDVSA company already has experience.
06:13 And in fact, we in the Congo have national oil companies, so we can create certain links
06:19 between the two companies to stimulate education and training.
06:23 And also, we could create university courses on this subject, and I think this is important
06:31 to establish these bridges of relationship between the two countries.
06:56 A few months ago, Venezuela gave the Congo a list of works that arrived in the country
07:02 during colonialism with the intention that the Congo considers recovering these works.
07:08 It can do so.
07:10 How does the Congo see this intention to retribute and maintain the history and memory of the
07:16 country?
07:24 I believe that the history and culture of the people at some point you have to realize
07:30 that there are many testimonies.
07:34 And in this gesture from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Congo was received as
07:40 a fair return within the framework of its cultural diversity.
07:56 The Congo has a wide experience in search, negotiation, and dialogue in the balance in
08:03 the continent.
08:04 Today, we see that beyond its border as well.
08:08 In the case of Libya, we remember the role that the Congo played in the African Union
08:13 to stop the invasion of Libya and solve the problem there.
08:18 Today, we see that our President is part of Africa's efforts to seek a solution to the
08:26 conflict between Russia and the West regarding the situation in Ukraine.
08:30 To what extent can the role of Congo and Africa be enhanced to solve the current problems?
08:52 You know that the African traditions always seek true dialogue because ever since our
08:58 fathers, grandfathers, and ancestors have cultivated what is known as the African word.
09:06 And we consider that conflicts are not resolved through violence but through dialogue.
09:13 The President, Your Excellency, today is recognized as a man of dialogue who has participated
09:19 in peace missions as a mediator to seek and unite peoples in order to solve conflicts
09:25 in the most peaceful way possible.
09:29 In fact, today, as you mentioned, he is at the head of the African Union as a chairman
09:36 of the high-level committee precisely to seek a peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis,
09:43 also as a mediator in the Central African crisis and many others.
09:49 It is precisely in the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that Africa can,
09:58 through this tradition, solve these problems and conflicts and contribute to a negotiable
10:03 solution that is why some time ago we were able to see the mission of African leaders
10:09 who went to Ukraine and Russia.
10:32 We have seen at the St. Petersburg Summit between Russia and Africa the participation
10:51 of leaders from your continent, including your President from Congo was there.
10:56 He spoke of the need for multilateralism to become a reality in the world.
11:01 To what extent do these actions also contribute to negotiating solutions to conflicts?
11:18 I believe that when the President talks about multilateralism, it is a perspective to look
11:25 for a concrete solution to our problems.
11:28 He said that African countries would not be able to solve certain problems by themselves,
11:34 especially concerning infrastructure.
11:37 I believe that within this framework we must increase efforts between African countries
11:44 and international organizations so that together we can obtain financial mechanisms to be able
11:51 to contribute to the implementation of different developments and projects in Africa for the
11:57 well-being of the populations.
12:02 Africa is today on the front page of the world's main newspapers and news programs.
12:30 Due to the complicated situation in Sahel, because of the problems still to be solved
12:36 in the continent, and some people believe that they have seen in media what they consider
12:41 to be a revolutionary wave in the continent.
12:52 What are your thoughts on this matter?
12:59 I think that the issue of Sahel should not be seen from a current perspective.
13:05 It should be seen in retrospect.
13:08 It should be understood that, first of all, many years ago there was a conflict that led
13:14 to the one that we're dealing with right now, caused by a change of region in Libya with
13:20 the weapons and the movement displaced.
13:24 This situation at the time alerted African leaders who had already mentioned how concerned
13:31 they were with this situation.
13:33 And unfortunately, this alert was not heard.
13:38 Today we are facing these difficulties concerning security, and Africa must get a single voice
13:45 united to achieve security in the continent and seek to make populations feel peaceful.
13:53 I believe that once we get the solutions, the population will be much calmer.
13:58 These days, some African leaders have been saying that they are not going to be able to
14:26 get a single voice.
14:27 Some African leaders have said that Africa should stop being an exporter of raw materials
14:32 and that Africa has the potential to make progress using its own resources to develop
14:39 the continent instead of exporting such resources.
14:44 How is that possible given today's conditions?
14:57 I believe that when Africa says that, it is because there is awareness that added value
15:04 comes from the transformation of those raw materials which we have.
15:09 We can no longer think that the only thing for us to do is to export raw materials.
15:15 Our countries are actually becoming aware of the need to develop a policy to transform
15:21 our raw materials.
15:22 I will give you an example from my own country, the Congo.
15:28 Nowadays, most African countries depend on imports of wheat and fertilizers from Russia.
15:36 But in the Congo, which may be a unique case, is a specific geographical area in our country.
15:43 We have all the necessary components to develop those same fertilizers.
15:49 We have potassium, phosphate, and we have natural gas.
15:54 All of that in a region spanning over 43 square miles.
15:59 So if we get the financing to develop such fertilizers, we could develop agriculture
16:06 in our country and then be able to produce our own wheat.
16:13 And that is just one concrete example of what we could do in the continent by ourselves.
16:24 Same applies to the transformation industry.
16:28 We should be developing such industries in our countries to prevent the export from raw
16:33 materials.
16:34 Lastly, I just want to say that on January 22-23, in the Congo, we made a very important
16:44 decision.
16:45 We are no longer exporting raw wood.
16:49 We can no longer do that.
16:51 So we have to transform it in the Congo before exporting it.
16:56 And I believe that such a vision on the part of the leaders is something that people appreciate.
17:04 Thank you.
17:05 Thank you.
17:06 Thank you.
17:07 Thank you.
17:09 Thank you.
17:11 Thank you.
17:13 Thank you.
17:14 [SPEAKING SPANISH]
17:43 Finally, Your Excellency, what would be your message
17:47 to Televisa's audience in Latin America
17:49 and the rest of the world, including Africa,
17:52 where they see our channel both in Spanish and English?
17:55 My message today would be, first of all,
18:04 to salute the resilience in the Latin American peoples,
18:08 especially the Venezuelan people, who,
18:11 with a lot of courage, has faced all difficulties
18:15 and yet be able to fuel their development.
18:19 I believe they are an example for other peoples
18:22 facing similar obstacles.
18:26 I see Venezuelans always finding solutions, innovating.
18:31 What I often see is that it is the difficulties that
18:35 drive you to make progress.
18:39 Today's era of South-South cooperation
18:45 is enabling a new era from Africa and Latin American
18:49 countries to reinforce concrete cooperation projects
18:53 to foster the true development that we have always, always
18:58 longed for.
19:00 I think the moment is now.
19:05 I want to encourage all the peoples
19:07 to focus on the development projects
19:09 to improve living conditions.
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19:54 Somehow we could say that Africa has given a lot
19:59 to Latin America and the Caribbean,
20:01 and that our region has given to Africa.
20:04 But that much remains to be done.
20:06 Absolutely, much remains to be done.
20:12 In fact, the reason why we have decided
20:15 to create this joint commission, as I
20:18 said at the start of this interview,
20:21 is that it's not normal that after having established
20:24 diplomatic relations, we haven't had any concrete project
20:27 to develop with Venezuela.
20:29 And that is why we think that this large joint should
20:37 allow us to further relations between our countries,
20:41 and that we may launch some concrete bilateral projects.
20:45 [SPEAKING SPANISH]
20:46 So I wish you every success in your endeavors
20:57 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
20:59 Well, we have made very good use of our time here.
21:08 And I hope that before leaving, we
21:11 may be able to admire the national beauty
21:14 of your country.
21:15 So I am sure that we'll be returning to Brazzaville
21:19 with some happy memories.
21:20 Well, thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts
21:30 with Chalizur.
21:31 And thank you to our audience for tuning in.
21:34 Thank you, sir.
21:36 [MUSIC PLAYING]
21:40 (upbeat music)