Brasília - The President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, declared today that Brazil's decision to pardon Mozambique's US$ 331 million debt to Brazil has "a very important political meaning for the struggle by poor and less developed countries to correct the existing imbalances in the world globalization process."

Chissano sees President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's gesture as a "summons for other countries to settle the debts of less developed nations. For a new era to commence."

Today the Mozambican President paid an official visit to the National Congress and was received by Senate President José Sarney (PMDB-AP). Following the encounter, Chissano emphasized that debt relief will permit the implementation of other projects between Mozambique and Brazil, such as programs to combat Aids.

The Mozambican President observed that trade relations between the two countries should flourish in the spheres of agriculture, agro-industry, and mining. For Chissano, the first step will be taken by the Vale do Rio Doce Company, which plans to get involved in the Mozambican mining sector. "It will be important to our cooperation, because it opens doors to other types of cooperation in big industry," he believes.

Chissano is visiting the country at President Lula's request and will remain in Brazil until Friday (3). His itinerary also includes the cities of Salvador and Porto Alegre.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Ellis Regina
Translator: David Silberstein
01/09/2004