An agreement was signed in Maputo to that effect on Wednesday between Italian deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema and Mozambican Foreign Minister Alcinda Abreu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abreu said that this money will help the government implement its poverty reduction strategy. The agreement "represents the commitment of the Italian government to help us fight against the poverty that still affects most of our people".
For his part, D'Alema said that his government is happy with the consolidation of peace and democracy, and the economic advances Mozambique has made in recent years.
"This agreement confirms our belief in the Mozambican government's efforts in the fight against poverty", he declared.
The two ministers also signed an agreement on cultural, scientific and technological cooperation. Abreu said this cooperation will focus particularly on environmental protection, basic science, agriculture, health, and information and communication technology.
She said that no amount has yet been fixed for the implementation of this agreement, which complements an existing agreement on cooperation in professional and technical education.
During his one day visit, the first by an Italian foreign minister for 14 years, D'Alema also met with Prime Minister Luisa Diogo. A source in the Italian delegation said D'Alema asked Diogo for Mozambique's support for an Italian appeal, to be made at the United Nations General Assembly, for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world.
SOURCE: AIM
