After lengthy negotiations, the agreement scrapping the entry visa requirements between the two countries was signed in Maputo on Wednesday by Mozambican Interior Minister Jose Pacherco, and his Zimbabwean counterpart, Kembo Muhadi.
The agreement states that any Mozambican or Ziombabwean citizen with a valid passport may visit temporarily, or pass through, the other country without let or hindrance. The temporary visits referred to, however, are for a maximum of 30 days.
The immigration authorities retain their normal power to deny entry, or to expel, anyone regarded as persona non grata.
Pacheco said he believed the agreement would reduce the amount of illegal border crossing that currently takes place between the two countries. He hoped the no-visa arrangement would facilitate economic and cultural exchanges, and help attract investment.
He dismissed fears that the agreement would greatly increase the flow of Zimbabweans into Mozambique seeking to escape from the economic crisis in their own country.
Mozambique already has no-visa arrangements with most other SADC (Southern African Development Community) member states, including South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania.
SOURCE: AIM
