MAPUTO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Forty representatives from 12 African countries began a two-day meeting in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Wednesday to discuss safety initiatives and programs of energy sources, particularly the protection of infrastructure of oil and gas in the Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mozambican Minister of Defense Agostinho Mondlane said that this meeting is of particular importance, taking into consideration the need to protect oil and gas infrastructures in the Indian Ocean and fighting piracy.
The participants will analyze the major achievements in the efforts to combat maritime piracy and other maritime security issues in Africa.
During the two-day meeting the participants will also be trained in the drafting and preparation of programming exercises table on safety in production and transport of energy in Africa.
The countries participating in the seminar are South Africa, Angola, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania.
Representatives of the African Union, the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), are also taking part in the meeting.
