Mr. Oldemiro Marques Balói:

Distinguished Chairman, members and participants, ladies and gentlemen, allow us to express our appreciation to the Chairman for his welcoming words on behalf of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.

We are profoundly honoured to address this committee, as an important player in Irish policy on supporting democracy and development in Africa, particularly in Mozambique. We appreciate the level that our bilateral relations have achieved and the commitment to its consolidation.

Peace in our country came from the decision of the nation to bring to an end many years of conflict that killed more than 1 million people and wrecked the social and economic structure of the country. Today, despite the challenges we are facing head on, the political landscape in Mozambique is one of stability and peace where civil liberties, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, assembly and association, free movement of people and political parties are guaranteed by law and have been in fact the right of our citizens.

Democracy has found its roots in Mozambique and the scars of poverty are being bravely attacked by our people, regardless of the challenges ahead. There is no peace without development. There is no development without peace. That is the reason that our approach to development at national, regional and international levels is based first and foremost on the need to secure and preserve peace and stability.

The continuing process of reconciliation, democratic consolidation, building of solid and inclusive democratic institutions are among the highest priorities of our Government. Let me reiterate that we are committed to the consolidation of democracy and political pluralism, as we believe those shared values are essential for development and stability. In this context we are now preparing another electoral cycle, the fifth since our first general elections in 1994, which followed the Rome Peace Agreement in 1992. After holding the fourth local elections in 2013, Mozambique will hold presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections on 15 October 2014.

These elections come under the framework of a new electoral law approved by the Parliament after a comprehensive dialogue and extensive consultations. We have been counting on our friends' and partners' experience to learn and consolidate our democratic process. Of particular importance has been the valuable role of the electoral observers, both national and international, in enhancing the transparency and credibility of elections. Under democratic rules, it is of paramount importance that all parties and contestants respect the rule of law and exercise politics through peaceful and democratic means, with no intimidation or violence. In this regard allow us to reiterate the important role of the opposition parties in the consolidation of democracy and pluralism. As part of this exercise we are pursuing dialogue with all relevant actors, mainly with the main opposition parties with which we have a platform for consultation and dialogue. The government will continue favouring dialogue. Once again we thank the Oireachtas for its contribution toward consolidating democracy, attaining the goals of promoting the wellbeing of all Mozambiqueans and promoting peace in the world.

I thank members for their attention.