Progress on technical cooperation, economic integration, trade and defense

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have agreed to strengthen their commitment to work together and to explore further cooperation initiatives to better serve both countries' needs.

The countries agreed to accelerate East African Community integration and to focus cooperation on areas such as information communication technology (ICT), cross-border trade, defense and security, education and research, agriculture and food security, and international cooperation.

The presidents agreed to eliminate non-tariff barriers, to facilitate cross border trade and work jointly to eliminate non-tariff barriers in coastal countries, and to cooperation in developing small- and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives.

"In an effort to further Equatorial Guinea's involvement in and cooperation with other African countries, we find it beneficial to share our experience in fields such as oil exploration and resource management," said President Obiang. "In my experience, as African Union chairman, I have encouraged African leaders to embrace solidarity and unity to contribute to the betterment of our continent, and Uganda is another example of this effort."

President Obiang pointed out that Equatorial Guinea's oil training center expertise would benefit Uganda's recently opened facility. He also recommended the establishment of a national body that will oversee petroleum exploration and resource management.

"Sharing industrialization experiences have already started on an East African Energy Master Plan, where countries in the region will work jointly to identify sources of electricity," said President Obiang.

About Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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