Neither leaders however would elaborate on their discussions other than to say they had discussed preparations for the summit to be held in Lisbon in December.
The summit is still in doubt because of the European Union’s ban against Mugabe arising from human rights violations by his regime in Zimbabwe. Portugal could, on the grounds that the summit is an international meeting, invite Mugabe despite the ban – but Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown has made it clear that neither he, nor any British minister will attend the summit if Mugabe shows up.
Other issues discussed between Prodi and Guebuza included a draft resolution being finalised by the United Nations seeking an international moratorium on the death penalty. So far 133 countries have either formally abolished the death penalty, or who no longer carry out executions.
The 64 remaining countries that continue to carry out the death penalty include 18 African countries, including Zimbabwe.
At a joint press conference both men highlighted the longstanding relations of friendship and cooperation between Mozambique and Italy. Prodi told reporters that he had pledged to continue Italy’s support of Mozambique in its efforts to eradicate poverty, which included supporting professional training programmes and in helping build the country’s infrastructure.
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