Counterterrorism will become a priority area of the strategic partnership between the two nations, the Russian foreign minister has said

Moscow is ready to assist Mozambique in combating the terrorist threat, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

Speaking after talks with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo in Maputo, Lavrov stated that combating terrorism would be one of the "priority areas" of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"Russia stands ready to respond positively to requests from our Mozambican friends regarding assistance that we can provide in eliminating the terrorist threat that persists in the north of the country," Lavrov said.

Lavrov and Chapo also discussed ways to expand trade and economic and investment cooperation. Both sides agreed to prepare proposals for joint projects ahead of the next meeting of the Russia-Mozambique Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, scheduled for this autumn.

Lavrov also said Chapo had accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit, set to be held in Moscow this autumn.

Later on Thursday, Lavrov held talks with Mozambique's foreign minister, Maria Lucas.

Lucas welcomed Russia's commitment, thanking Moscow for its assistance following devastating floods in January. The assistance, sent on the instructions of President Putin, included 29 tons of food supplies, tents, blankets, and other essential items transported aboard an Emergencies Ministry Il-76 aircraft.

She also thanked Russia for providing scholarships to Mozambican students, including those studying police specialties, and welcomed Moscow's readiness to increase the number of scholarships.

Lucas said the sides had identified priority areas for future cooperation ahead of the September meeting of the joint commission, including energy, agriculture, digitalization, innovation, transport, and logistics. She also expressed appreciation for Russia's support during the African state's tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Mozambique is the third stop on Lavrov's African tour after Ethiopia and Niger. He last visited the country in May 2023, while the previous meeting between the Russian and Mozambican foreign ministers took place in Moscow in July 2025.

(RT.com)