The Prime Minister canceled on Monday for family reasons his Christmas visit to the Portuguese army mission in Mozambique, where, among other things, a meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi took place.
Also on Monday, during a stopover in Luanda, António Costa was expected to meet Angola’s President João Lourenço at the presidential palace before arriving in Mozambique.
“The Prime Minister’s trip to Mozambique, on the occasion of the Christmas visit to the Detached National Forces, planned for next Monday, December 18, and, as part of the same trip, visit to Luanda to meet with the President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourençowere canceled for personal family reasons” read a note released on Saturday by António Costa’s office.
According to the same note, “the military component that concerns The visit to the National Armed Forces in Mozambique will be assured by the Minister of National Defense [Helena Carreiras]representing the Prime Minister”.
In Mozambique, the Prime Minister would take stock of the evolution of bilateral relations since the last Portuguese-Mozambican summit, which took place in Maputo in September 2022.
During this official visit to Mozambique, António Costa assured that Portugal would continue to support this country in the fight against terrorism, while the President of the Mozambican Republic emphasized the solidarity and cooperation of the Portuguese Government.
The leader of the Portuguese executive also expressed Portugal’s willingness to send more equipment to assist Mozambique’s armed forces.
“There is this availability. Mozambique knows what our availability is. It is necessary to know whether our availability meets the needs that Mozambique has,” stressed António Costa, during the visit he subsequently paid to the Portuguese troops of the Naval Marine School and the European Union Training Mission to recruit Mozambican troops leading the fight against terrorism at the Independent Rifle Company, in Catembe (on the south bank of Maputo).
Source: DN
