President Zuma arrives in Mozambique for a state visit
President Jacob Zuma has today, 13 December, in Maputo, Mozambique for a State Visit at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency President Armando Guebuza.
The visit is aimed at deepening bilateral political, economic and social relations between the two countries. South Africa and Mozambique have strong ties based on geographical proximity, and also given the role played by Mozambique in providing solidarity during the struggle against apartheid and colonial oppression.
The visit has a particular personal significance for President Zuma as he lived in Mozambique for many years during his period in exile.
President Zuma will have consultations with the President of the Republic of Mozambique on concretising bilateral cooperation in key priority areas such as trade and investment, energy, mining, agriculture, communications, water, environmental affairs, arts and culture as well as science and technology.
The two Presidents will exchange views regarding mutual cooperation at regional level, especially within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and discuss broad issues affecting the Continent within the context of the African Union (AU).
During his visit, President Zuma will lay a wreath in the Heroes Acre, as well as at the Matola Raid Memorial and Interpretative Centre, after which he will address the Joint Sitting of the Parliament of Mozambique and the Mozambique–South Africa Business Forum. Several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding will be signed during the visit.
President Zuma is accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Arts and Culture; Defence and Military Veterans, Science and Technology as well as Communications.
