Maputo, 10 Jul (AIM) – The Russian government has reiterated its willingness in supporting Mozambique in the fight against Islamist terrorism that has been plaguing some districts of the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
According to the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, speaking to reporters on Thursday, after being granted an audience by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, Moscow is open to respond to requests for assistance from the Mozambican government.
Lavrov explained that Mozambique and Russia share historical ties since the national liberation struggle, “the support provided by the then-Soviet Union during the struggle for independence and the immediate recognition of the Mozambican state following the proclamation of independence in 1975 remain significant milestones in the collective memory of the Mozambican people.”
Mozambique and Russia gave fresh momentum to their bilateral relations today, committing to deepen cooperation in priority areas such as the economy, structural reforms, the fight against terrorism, and political coordination within major international forums.
According to Lavrov, the meeting with President Chapo provided an opportunity to assess the state of bilateral cooperation and define new prospects for strengthening relations between the two countries.
The minister also emphasized that cooperation between the two countries “did not end with independence achievement but evolved to include support for strengthening state institutions, developing the national economy, and implementing structural reforms.”
The economic component dominated a significant part of the discussions. Lavrov revealed that President Chapo presented the government’s priorities for a new phase of economic reforms, identifying opportunities to expand investment and bilateral cooperation.
In this context, it was agreed that these matters would be incorporated into the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Technical-Scientific Cooperation, with the aim of supporting the implementation of reforms and driving forward new projects of mutual interest.
The Russian minister also argued that Africa is experiencing a period of growing prominence on the international stage, with the processing of natural resources, “which are essential for promoting industrialization, generating greater added value, and accelerating the continent’s economic development.”
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