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Russia, Mozambique seek to intensify relations — Lavrov

MOSCOW, April 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed hope that talks with Mozambican counterpart Oldemiro Baloi will give an impetus to friendly relations between the two countries.

Russia and Mozambique seek to enhance bilateral relations, Lavrov said at talks with his Mozambican counterpart on Monday.

“Now special attention should be paid to the development of trade and economic cooperation,” he said. “We’ll discuss cooperation on the international arena, in particular, the problems that Africa is now facing,” Lavrov said.

Baloi said Mozambique and Russia maintained close political relations. “Our dialogue is based on friendship, solidarity and cooperation,” he said.

“I send the Mozambican president’s best regards to the Russian president and I want to congratulate you on the success of the Olympic Games in Sochi and the victory of Russian athletes,” Baloi said.

He considered Lavrov’s visit to Mozambique in 2013 “historical and fruitful”.

“It is necessary to search for new forms of cooperation,” Baloi added.

Russia and Mozambique seek to develop military-technical cooperation

“Humanitarian and cultural relations are also an inalienable part,” Lavrov said after talks with Mozambican counterpart Oldemiro Baloi on Monday.

He noted “the stable development of bilateral relations”.

Russia and Mozambique also seek to maintain energy and investment cooperation, Lavrov said.

The talks focused on a possibility of increasing trade turnover and making investments in geological survey, ferrous industry, petro-chemistry, agriculture, energy, the energy sector and infrastructural projects, Lavrov said.

“A special seminar will be held at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry over Russia’s investments into Mozambique. The seminar will be attended by (Mozambican Foreign Minister) Oldemiro Baloi. For our part, we will stimulate Russian business’ interest,” he said.

“We’re hoping to develop close cooperation over the events on the African continent that is facing with many conflicts. We support Africans’ efforts aimed at deciding their fate on their own account,” Lavrov said.

“Russia will support and supports the African countries’ peacekeeping potential. We’re training African peacekeepers at our higher education institutions and taking a direct part in conducting peacekeeping operations in Africa,” he said.