Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans announced last week in Maputo that she will propose a debate in the European Parliament on the European Union’s (EU) relationship with Mozambique, stating that the country remains “strategic.”
“We will try to promote a debate on the EU–Mozambique relationship in the Strasbourg plenary session and then vote on a resolution with recommendations. I believe this is an issue in our hands, as this partnership is of strategic importance and we should give it parliamentary follow-up,” Vautmans said, speaking as spokesperson for the European Parliament’s Development Committee delegation.
According to Lusa, four MEPs from this committee visited Mozambique since Tuesday, 26 May, to assess the impact of EU support, noting that the bloc has already allocated €975 million to the country in recent years through European funds and the European Investment Bank.
Hilde Vautmans added that the European Parliament needs to work in coordination with its Mozambican counterpart, particularly regarding the implementation of recommendations made in the context of the 2024 general elections, which resulted in violent protests and deaths.
“It is necessary for Parliament to be ready to help implement those recommendations. We believe that together we can achieve them so that everything is aligned ahead of the next electoral cycle,” she said.
Vautmans also stressed that Europe is heavily investing in Mozambique as a partner, in addition to providing humanitarian aid in critical moments and development support, highlighting the “+Emprego Project” implemented by the Camões Institute in Cabo Delgado province, in northern Mozambique, a region affected by terrorist attacks since 2017.
“I was very impressed. I have already visited many projects in Mozambique that have really made a difference in the lives of many young people. They have broken the vicious cycle of poverty and lack of future prospects, giving people hope and optimism. I believe the project supported by Europe is making a real difference, but we need an integrated approach,” she concluded.
The EU maintains a strong partnership with Mozambique, having invested more than €600 million since 2021 in areas such as ecological transition, youth, governance, and social peace. It also plans to provide €41.5 million in humanitarian aid by the end of this year following floods that affected the country.
Source: Diário Económico
