The Mozambican and French navies will now regularly hold joint exercises and "strategic exchanges", according to the cooperation agreement in the area of Defence ratified by Maputo, which assumes the common interest in the Mozambique Channel.
According to the resolution of the Council of Ministers of Mozambique that ratifies the Defence Cooperation Agreement in the Maritime Domain between the two countries, to which Lusa had access today, both governments assume "common maritime interests" and the desire to develop "a better knowledge of the maritime domain" of the Mozambique Channel.
"Decided to continue to develop and facilitate their existing cooperation in the maritime domain and sharing the objective of being partners in this domain in the southwest of the Indian Ocean", reads the resolution, dated 16 July.
The agreement defines the "framework of defence cooperation" between the two countries in the maritime domain and provides, among other forms, for the holding of joint exercises and the "training and exchange of officers from the national navies".
It also includes "strategic-level exchanges on maritime issues" and "sharing of operational maritime information", as well as operational or technical training, expert missions and "support for strengthening the capacity of the Mozambican Navy".
Furthermore, the agreement provides that members of the "visiting party" present in national territory, or on board a ship or aircraft, "shall not participate in operations to maintain or restore public order or security" and "shall not be associated with the preparation or execution of war operations or similar operations".
This cooperation agreement, according to the document, is valid for five years and may be tacitly renewed for similar periods, if not terminated by the parties.
