Maputo — The government of Lesotho is negotiating with the publicly owned Electricidade de Mocambique -Mozambique electricity company - (EDM) the extension of the period of power supply to that country, that was signed last year, and due to expire in December this year, reports Friday's issue of the daily 'Noticias'.

The contract was to supply between five and 40 Megawatts, depending on the consumption needs of Lesotho.

The initial contract was for six months but was again negotiated and extend until December 2009.

The sutho authorities are currently negotiating for the contract to be extended at least until the end of 2010. According to sources close to Lesotho authorities, EDM services allowed an improvement of the quality of power supply in that country.

Besides Lesotho, EDM has been supplying power to other countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including Botswana, Swaziland, and Namibia, in the context of the Southern African Power Pool (SAAP).

Power supply is one of the main areas of cooperation between Mozambique and Lesotho that were on the top of the agenda on Wednesday, on the first day of the visit of the Sutho King Letsie III 's visit to Mozambique

Other areas of cooperation that were discussed between the two countries include Justice, sports, and tourism.

In terms of tourism, one important step was taken on Wednesday, with the signing of an agreement to exempt visa requirements for people travelling from one country to the other, but this will only enter into force depending on the coordination of certain legal aspects.

Letsie III visited the Bazaruto archipelago on Thursday, a Mozambican important tourism destination, in the southern Inhambane province.