Italy PM kicks off Africa tour in Mozambique

MAPUTO, July 20 (AFP) : Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi became the first Italian head of government to visit Mozambique on Saturday at the start of an African tour aimed at bolstering trade ties with the continent.
During a champagne lunch with President Armando Guebuza, Renzi said the visit was the result of an invitation made in Brussels earlier this year. "I am sure he did not actually think I would come but I am here," Renzi said jokingly.
Guebuza called the relationship between the two countries "excellent".
"We have watched with great satisfaction the gradual flourishing of economic cooperation and business ties," he said, pointing to Italy oil major ENI's presence in the energy sector.
A powerful delegation that includes ENI CEO Claudio Descalzi as well as main business lobby, Confindustria, is accompanying the premier.
ENI has made large natural gas discoveries in the deep waters off Mozambique's northern coast over the past three years.
The country is only just getting to its feet after a devastating 16-year civil war that ended in 1992.