Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a strengthening of bilateral cooperation with Mozambique across strategic sectors, adding that trade between the two nations nearly doubled between January and August this year.

“Trade and economic cooperation is growing stronger. Bilateral trade nearly doubled between January and August this year,” Putin said as he opened talks with the delegation led by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, on the sidelines of the 8th Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) on Tuesday, 27 October.

Cited in statements released by Russian diplomatic channels, Putin said the two countries share a commitment to deepening bilateral ties and highlighted the evolution of their economic relations.

According to Putin, relations between the two countries rest on a “long friendship and cooperation” dating back to Mozambique’s independence struggle, recalling that last year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Russian president also highlighted the development of political and parliamentary contacts, as well as strengthened cooperation in education and training — pointing to an increase in places for Mozambican students at Russian federal budget-funded universities and, for the first time this year, the training of Mozambican civil servants in Russia.

Putin also guaranteed the continuation of humanitarian assistance to Mozambique, according to Lusa, recalling that Russian authorities sent aid during flooding in the country during the last rainy season.

On the international stage, Putin thanked Mozambique for its support of various Russian initiatives in multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations, and praised what he described as Mozambique’s rejection of “outrageous Russophobic actions.”

Daniel Chapo has been in Russia since 27 October on a working visit. The trip follows a visit to Maputo in July by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who stated that Russia is ready to help Mozambique “eliminate” terrorism in Cabo Delgado.

“We continue to support the efforts of President [Mozambican] Chapo to stabilise the situation in the north, eliminate the terrorist threat, and consolidate Mozambique’s true sovereignty. We provide support, including through the training of personnel and the supply of necessary weapons and equipment,” Lavrov told journalists after meeting with Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Maria dos Santos Lucas.