Luanda ǽ_ª The minister of Foreign Affairs, Goerges Chikoti, advocated greater adoption by states of norms that criminalize acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels at sea.

According to the minister, who was speaking on Friday at the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Maritime and Energy Security, the trafficking of human beings, illegal immigration, maritime pollution and illegal fishing it also deserves greater criminalization.

To achieve these objects, the official said it is necessary a more active participation of states in international cooperation mechanisms.

In the final communiquÇŸ¸ of the conference held 8-9 of this month, over 300 speakers recognized that the Gulf of Guinea is an area of great economic and political interest for the African continent.

Participants stressed in the statement, the great potential of the maritime sector to promote economic development, and the respect for the sovereignty of states is a condition for the protection of maritime areas and their resources.

Opened on Thursday, the conference was organized by the Angolan Government and was supported the United States and Italy.

The event aimed to contribute to the strengthening of national and regional initiatives, in response to threats on the Atlantic Coast, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.

SOURCE: All Africa.com