European Union pledges to support reforms

Maputo, 14 Mar (AIM) – The European Union (EU) has pledged to provide all the necessary support for the implementation of activities carried out by the Mozambican government, through its Office for Reforms and Strategic Projects (GRPE).

According to the EU Ambassador to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore, who was speaking to reporters on Thursday after a working meeting with the GRPE executive coordinator, João Machatine, the EU’s support is in line with the importance of the reforms in the country.

“We are ready to support the functioning, the work of the Office, and we are ready to support the reform programme. I can confirm that the European Union and the member states are ready to work with the Office to move forward with concrete reforms across the country”, Maggiore said.

Maggiore also said that during the meeting, his delegation expressed its willingness in order to help the country to implement its “commitment to an inclusive national dialogue”, which was signed by President Daniel Chapo, and nine political parties. However, absent from the signing ceremony was the most popular of Mozambique’s opposition politicians, former presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane.

“The reforms include the political commitment reached by Chapo with the leaders of the political parties. The EU wants to work directly with Mozambicans, with communities, including the private sector to impact the country’s economic and social development areas. As I said to the coordinator (Machatine), the point is that the European Union, and the [EU] member states want to work with Mozambique for Mozambique”, said Maggiore.

The newly created Office is attached to the Presidency of the Republic with the mission of advising the head of state on the formulation, coordination and monitoring of strategic initiatives and high-impact reforms in a challenging context.
(AIM)
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