The document was signed between Mozambican Foreign Minister Alcinda Abreu and Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim, following a meeting between Mozambican President Armando Guebuza and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Speaking during a joint press conference after the signing of the agreement, Guebuza stressed the good bilateral relations between the two countries and said that the challenge now is to ensure their valuing and consolidation.
He added that the two countries have been pursuing common objectives, including the necessary partnership to attain the Millennium Development Goals.
Guebuza also said that with the support of donor countries such as Norway, Mozambique is certain to attain remarkable results, particularly concerning the reduction of mother and child mortality, among other challenges, such as the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Commenting on the recently signed agreement, Guebuza said that rural electrification, enshrined in his government's five year plan, will promote development and enhance the industrial sector in the province, thus contributing in the efforts of fight against poverty in the country.
For his part, the Norwegian Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the bilateral economic relations between the two countries, saying that Mozambique has a great potential in the areas of energy, fisheries, among others.
Stoltenberg also commended Mozambique for the way it has been implementing projects financed by Norway.
He stressed the participation of Norwegian companies in the development of Mozambique, particularly the oil company HYDRO, that has been prospecting for oil in the Rovuma basin, in the Cabo Delgado province.
He said that Norway will continue supporting Mozambique both at bilateral and multilateral level, through the United Nations agencies.
Mozambique is one of Norway's main cooperation partners, being rated third among the receivers of Norway's aid after Tanzania and Afghanistan.
Norwegian aid to Mozambique averages 65 million US dollars a year, used to support the state budget and to finance development programmes in the areas of energy, fisheries, health, hydrocarbons and NGOs.
Guebuza arrived in Oslo on Monday for a three day official visit, and on Tuesday he will address the Annual Conference of the Norwegian Private Sector, where he will deliver a speech on the need to invest in Mozambique and in Southern Africa.
SOURCE: AIM
