
Ministra moçambicana dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Cooperação, Verónica Macamo, com a homóloga do Japão, Kamikawa Yoko
Maputo, 28 Nov (AIM) – The Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, has called for more “more efforts” in order to improve and maintain the security environment in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, where Japanese companies have an interest in natural gas projects.
According to a statement unveiled on Tuesday, in Tokyo, by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, during the working visit of Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo to Japan “The two ministers also affirmed the importance of working together on the multifaceted development that will lead to the stabilization of Cabo Delgado province and the growth of the northern region as a whole”.
Kamikawa added that the Government of Japan is willing to support a common agenda to this end.
The Japanese companies are involved in the Mozambique LNG project led by the French multinational TotalEnergies, estimated at 20 billion dollars, but which was suspended due to the terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.
Cabo Delgado has been plagued by islamist terrorism since October 2017 and, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the conflict has left one million people displaced and about 4,000 dead.
However, since July 2021, the Mozambican defence and security forces, with support from Rwanda and the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), have been liberating districts near the natural gas projects, which had previously been occupied by the terrorists.
A statement from the Mozambican Foreign Ministry had a different focus. It stressed that the two ministers “expressed the desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation relations, and partnerships in the economic, commercial and investment areas”.
They exchanged impressions about projects where Japanese companies are involved, such as the modernization of the northern port of Nacala, and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Cabo Delgado.
The meeting also discussed the international situation, particularly the Russian war against Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Since Mozambique and Japan are both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Macamo and Kamikawa agreed to work together to strengthen the functions of the UN, to reform the Security Council, and to promote among the international community the initiative on women, peace and security.
(AIM)
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