Italy is going to help the Congolese government set up coastguards in Pointe-Noire, the economic capital in the department of Kouilou (South).
“The current agreement is aimed at setting up closer cooperation in the framework of the coast guards project in Pointe Noire,” the ambassador of Italy to Congo, Francesco Paolo Venier, said Wednesday following a meeting with vice-minister of Merchant Marine, Martin Parfait Aimé Coussoud Mavoungou.
Italy will help Congo acquire necessary boats and equipments to set up a coastguard brigade in Pointe-Noire. Contacts have been made with the Italian firm specialized in shipbuilding, Fincantieri, for the acquisition of coastal patrol boats, the diplomat added.
Second European partner of Congo after France, Italy signed in 2006 a Maritime agreement with Congo and in 2002 canceled debts estimated at some CFA 135 billions francs.
Congo wants to boost security in its waters in order to keep traffic toward the Pointe Noire Autonomous Port, one of the most important deep water ports in the Gulf of Guinea.
Source African Press Agency
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