Cameroon, Italy to sign cooperation accords

Cameroon and Italy are expected to sign several cooperation agreements, a statement issued by the government on Wednesday reveals. The communique was issued ahead of a three-day visit of the Italian president Sergio Mattarella to Cameroon, starting Thursday.

According to the statement, the Italian leader will be accompanied by a delegation of businessmen scheduled to exchange with their Cameroonian counterparts.

Mattarella is expected to hold a private meeting with President Paul Biya after which a dinner will be offered to his honor.

Rome’s desire to contest for the presidency of the UN Security Council is likely to be high on the agenda of the meeting between the two heads of State as well as the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy to Libya which is currently grappling with insecurity and chaos.

During his sojourn in Cameroon, the Italian president will visit the State University of Yaounde where he will address students. Two other visits are planned at Reunification monument and the Italian company Ferrero Imsofer.

The inauguration of the Chancery of Italy in Yaounde, and an Italian donation estimated to cost nearly 2 billion FCFA meant to address the humanitarian crisis in the far North of Cameroon, are scheduled during the trip.

In Cameroon, the Italian cooperation is felt in the areas of health, education, scientific research and development of socio-economic infrastructure.

Italy hosts some 400 Cameroonian students each year, which is the largest number in the whole European continent.