The friendship that exists between Italy and Mozambique is enabling their solid 'historic' ties to constantly expand, president Sergio Mattarella said on Wednesday during a visit to the African country.
"There are historic relations which are and remain constant and strong and are ever-growing, in a spirit of great friendship," Mattarella said on the second of his two-day visit.
"During these two days, I really am feeling a reciprocal sentiment of friendship and cooperation that is constantly growing," he added.
Mattarella's words were echoed by Mozambique's parliament speaker Esperanca Bias after their meeting.
"This visit is undoubtedly the fruit of the historic relations that exist between our nations," Bias stated.
After the meeting between Bias and Mattarella, in-depth talks took place between their two countries' delegations.
Mattarella later visited Catholic Charity Comunità di Sant'Egidio's Centro Dream in Zimpeto, which played a key role in peace accords that ended Mozambique's civil war in 1992.
"It's a contribution to Mozambique, to Italy and to humanity," Mattarella said, praising the "excellence" of the centre, which has given health treatment to over 230,000 people over the past 20 years.
The centre "is one of the fullest, clearest and most interesting forms of cooperation between our countries," said Mattarella.
"It has at its heart the individual, each individual and his needs - like the conception of Mozambique and of Italy," Mattarella underlined.
