RI, Mozambique sign deal

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Mozambique signed an agreement yesterday on economic and technical cooperation aimed at enhancing ties between the two countries which were only formally established in November 1991.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his Mozambique counterpart Leonardo Santos Simao.

Alatas expressed hope that the agreement would strengthen ties and contribute to each nation's development.

Indonesia exports sugar, margarine, tobacco and cosmetics to Mozambique, while importing pulp and paper commodities.

As a former Portuguese colony, Mozambique had previously supported Lisbon's position concerning East Timor. But since establishing diplomatic ties with Indonesia, Mozambique has backed away from its original position and maintains that East Timor is a domestic matter between Jakarta and Lisbon. (mds)