Maputo (Mozambique) Mozambique and Zambia have agreed to set up a Joint Defence and Security Cooperation Commission which, among other duties, will be charged with harmonising relations of military cooperation, and the fight against cross-border crime, APA has learnt.
The decision was announced on Saturday by Zambian Defence Minister George Mpondo, after an audience with Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, during which the two men discussed the current state of cooperation between Mozambique and Zambia, and future prospects.
Mpombo told reporters that the new joint commission should be operational by the end of this year. It should bring together the defence and security forces of the two countries, and implement a joint training programme for the army and air force.
As part of this initiative, Zambian lecturers will travel to the Samora Machel Military Academy in the northern Mozambican city of Nampula to provide assistance in the courses held there.
“The commission will also facilitate operations against cross-border crime and other phenomena that damage the well being of the two countries”, said Mpombo.
Mpombo was visiting Mozambique at the head of a Zambian delegation charged with discussing with the Mozambican Defence Ministry the areas of cooperation to be covered by the new commission.
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