MAPUTO, May 14 (Bernama) -- Mozambican President Armando Guebuza said on Saturday relations between Mozambique and Malawi should be "structured to create good neighbourliness a fruitful complement to development."

Speaking at a banquet in honour of Malawian President Joyce Banda, who is on a state visit to Mozambique, Guebuza said circumstances were now in favour of strengthening links between the two countries and peoples.

He said bilateral cooperation should be strengthened and to cover a broad range of sectors, Mozambique news agency reported.

"We have unfolded the sails so as to better exploit the potential existing in our countries and to continue to work together to consolidate the factors that favour the development of Mozambicans and Malawians," Guebuza said.

The president also called for greater dynamism in formulating and applying creative and innovative solutions that would bring multiple political, diplomatic, social and economic benefits.

"We will thus be in a better condition to turn our geographical contiguity, our common struggle against poverty and our shared cultural heritage into competitive advantages in creating the well-being of our people," he said.

Guebuza stressed the importance of peace and stability which currently characterises the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region as a key factor in the successful implementation of regional integration.

The president praised Banda and the Malawian people for the country's peaceful and orderly transition following former president Bingu wa Mutharika's death, and for Malawi's determination to host the 18th Heads of State Summit of the African Union.

-- BERNAMA