Mozambique: ambassador Conticelli, investments and help in decentralization

Maputo - The Italian ambassador to Mozambique, Marco Conticelli, said that his country wants to increase its investments in Mozambique, currently estimated at USD450 million a year, and help the country in the process of decentralization with a view to contributing to the return of political and military stability. Quoted in today's edition of the newspaper "O Pais", Conticelli, who spoke after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Mozambique, Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, said that decentralization is the best way that Mozambique has found to restore peace.

"At the moment, there is a delegation from the Mozambican parliament that is visiting Italy to exchange experiences on the subject of decentralization. This is also a fundamental aspect of the peace process and we want to confirm our availability to help", Conticelli said. Political and administrative decentralization is part of the package of demands placed on the negotiating table by the former rebel group and the current largest opposition party, the "Mozambican National Resistance - RENAMO" as a condition to end military hostilities and political instability affecting this Southern African nation of 23 million inhabitants, for more than three years. Italy was one of the main mediators for the General Peace Agreement between the Government and RENAMO, signed in Rome in 1992, ending a 16 years civil war.

Conticelli considers the trade relations between Italy and Mozambique "excellent" and said his country intends to increase its investments above the current USD450 million per year, which put Italy among the country's top five investors along with China, United Arab Emirates, United States and South Africa.
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