Brasília, December 24, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The minister of Science and Technology, Ronaldo Sardenberg, stressed that the hydrological cooperation agreement signed yesterday (23) between Brazil and Mozambique is the most significant stage in a broad process of partnership between the two countries. According to the minister, this process will certainly find backing in the future administration and will consolidate the affirmation of Brazil's capacity for international cooperation.

The Memorandum of Understanding foresees the installation in Mozambique of a hydrological and environmental monitoring system using Brazilian satellites. In the initial stage the system will cover the Zambeze basin; later, it will be expanded to include the basins of the Buzi, Púngue and Save Rivers.

The meteorological data captured by the Brazilian satellites will be transmitted to data collection platforms installed in Mozambique, making possible the prevention and reduction in the impact of
the floods that beset the region. (DAS)