THERE is need to revive the solidarity week that Zimbabwe and Mozambique used to hold with the view to strengthening ties between the two countries, Mozambique's ambassador Mr Julio Goncalo Braga said yesterday.
"The solidarity week between the two countries that used to be held soon after Zimbabwe's independence would focus on various issues such as culture, economic and sports" he said.
Mr Goncalo Braga said this while briefing journalists after meeting the Minister of State for Information and Publicity Professor Jonathan Moyo in Harare yesterday.
He said they had discussed about how to enhance cultural ties between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Mr Goncalo Braga said members of the Mozambique Friendship Association would soon visit Zimbabwe to improve relationships since there had been little contact during the past 10 years.
The ambassador reaffirmed his country's support to strengthen trade between the two neighbouring countries and dismissed misconceptions that Mozambique appeared to be biased towards South Africa in terms of trade.
Zimbabwe Television and Mozambique Television will on October 1 this year jointly hold a solidarity gala in Chimoio, Mozambique to celebrate the friendship and close ties between the two countries.
Commenting on the forthcoming Mozambican parliamentary and presidential elections in December, Mr Goncalo Braga said preparations for the polls were at an advanced stage.
He said the elections would be contested by at least 30 political parties and in the presidential race the ruling Frelimo would be represented by Mr Armando Guebuza while Mr Alfonso Dhlakama is the candidate for the main opposition Renamo.
Mr Guebuza, a member of the Political Commission - the highest decision-making body of Frelimo - was a shrewd diplomat as proven by his negotiating skills when he was the chief Frelimo negotiator during the talks with Renamo to end Mozambique's civil war.
Font: AIM
