The Mozambican government and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed yesterday, Monday, December 5, the commitment “in a deep partnership”, highlighting “the strengthening of political dialogue, taking into account the position of Mozambique as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
The rotating seat will be occupied as of January 1, for a two-year term.
The position was expressed after the 32nd Political Dialogue that brought together the delegations in Maputo, led by Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Veronica Macamo, and the EU Ambassador, Antonino Maggiore.
In the end, the commitments included “deepening the partnership in the economic dimension, taking advantage of the opportunities of the Global Gateway and preparation of the Mozambique-European Union Business Forum, planned for 2023,” reads a joint statement.
The political dialogue also served to underline “support for democratic consolidation in Mozambique in the context of the next electoral cycle and the need to implement the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission after the 2019 elections,” with “respect for civic space.
The two delegations also agreed on “greater action in the gender and youth sector, in alignment with the priorities of the EU Multi-Annual Cooperation Programme in Mozambique,” alongside “an integrated EU approach in Cabo Delgado and the North of the country (humanitarian assistance, security and peacebuilding and development).”
The European Council on Thursday announced €20 million in support for the Rwandan Defense Forces in Cabo Delgado province, which are fighting the armed insurgency in the province alongside Mozambican troops.
The decision was in focus at the meeting, which “welcomed the work of the EU Military Training Mission (EUTM Mozambique) and also the assistance to the country in the context of the European Peace Facility, of which Mozambique is the largest beneficiary in Africa.”
Yesterday’s Political Dialogue session followed another held in June.
Mozambique and the EU recognized “the seriousness of the war in Ukraine and its global consequences and agreed on the need to respect the rules-based international order under the UN Charter.”
