Mozambique is taking part in the first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which has been taking place since yesterday in the city of Sochi, in the federal territory of Sirius, Russia..

The event brings together foreign ministers from Russia and several African countries to discuss new ways of cooperating and strengthening relations between the parties.

A number of topics will be discussed at the meeting, in particular the assessment of existing cooperation between the parties and the degree of implementation of the results of last year's Russia-Africa Heads of State Summit in Russia, in the political, economic and social spheres.

According to a Sunday newspaperThe director for Europe and the Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, César Gouveia, heads the Mozambican delegation representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Verônica Macamo.

César Gouveia explained that there will be discussions on strengthening the sovereignty of African countries, the role of the United Nations (UN) in maintaining international peace and security, matters related to international trade, among others.

He said that in the particular case of Mozambique, the main interest of this conference is to strengthen relations with Russia, which is strategically important for cooperation with European countries.

"We want Russia to participate in our country's development process, not only at an official and political level, but also with the involvement of the private sector," he said.

In the same vein, he made it known that Russia has not diminished its role and its relationship with Mozambique, "so much so that meetings of the Joint Commission are held regularly, in which the interest of the Russian business sector in investing in our country has been emphasized". César Gouveia said that during the event, the fight against terrorism will also be discussed and, in this particular chapter, the idea is to understand how Russia can contribute to this fight.

He emphasized that relations with this country extend from the political-diplomatic field, mineral resources, defence and security, transport and communications, science and technology, health, technical and vocational education, among others. "At every meeting of the Joint Commission we go over these issues and see that progress is being made."

(Photo DR)