Wednesday, April 05, 2006

[Mozambique] Kohler urges world to help Mozambique fight poverty

from The angola Press

Visiting German President Horst Kohler on Tuesday declared that it was "a moral obligation for all of us" in the international community to fight poverty in Mozambique.

He was speaking on the second day of his official visit to Mozambique, shortly after receiving the keys of the city from the Mayor of Maputo, Eneas Comiche.

Kohler said peace and the fight against poverty were interlinked, noting that peace was indispensable to curb poverty, while alleviating poverty was also vital to maintaining peace.

Earlier, Comiche said that the key to Maputo was a symbolic homage to the German president for the his solidarity and commitment in the struggle against poverty in Africa, and particularly in Mozambique.

On Tuesday, Kohler also laid a wreath at the Monument of Mozambican Heroes, where the founder of Mozambican nationalism, Eduardo Mondlane, the country`s first President, Samora Machel, and others who gave their lives for the country`s liberation, are buried.

Meanwhile, President Armando Guebuza reiterated that Mozambique was prepared to continue cooperating with Germany to build stability and attract German investments.

He was speaking shortly after a meeting with Kohler, who began a four-day visit to Mozambique on Monday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in the political, economic and social fields.

Guebuza noted that the inclusion of entrepreneurs in Kohler`s 100-member delegation would allow them to identify areas of investment that will stimulate the development of Mozambique.

For his part, Kohler praised the Mozambican government for the consolidation of democracy, and spoke of `red tapes` that discourage investors.

Kohler said Germany has "great interest in investing in areas such as education, tourism, technical and professional training, transport and industry".

Guebuza and Kohler also discussed the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, which currently has the highest inflation rate and the fastest shrinking economy in the world.

The Zimbabwean crisis directly impacts Mozambique, particularly because of Zimbabwe`s reduced capacity to use Mozambican ports and railways.

During his stay in Mozambique, Kohler will visit some of the projects funded by Germany in the central province of Sofala.

On Monday he also met with Eduardo Mulembue, chairperson of the Assembly of the Republic (the Mozambican parliament), and Afonso Dhlakama, leader of the largest opposition party, the former rebel movement RENAMO.

No comments: