Mozambique and Sao Tome and Principe signed yesterday, in Maputo, a visa exemption agreement for all types of passports, which will facilitate commercial exchanges and boost tourism between the two countries.

The agreement was initialed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Verónica Macamo, and her counterpart from São Tomé, Edite Ramos.

Veronica Macamo says that the agreement will boost the relationship between families and friends, and allow investments on each side.

"We are satisfied. We have been negotiating (the agreement) for a long time and today we have reached a good port. Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe are to be congratulated and we hope that we will continue to work to catapult the relations between the two countries," he said.

Around the head of the São Tomense diplomacy said that the visa exemption will end the bureaucracy and, in another perspective, will contribute to the improvement of the life conditions of the population. "This act is symbolic, because what unites us has a historical nature and, above all, it will bring our peoples closer, who are friends and brothers," he stressed.

Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe are part of the Portuguese-Speaking African Countries (PALOP) and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), with a common past of colonization by Portugal.