Benin and the Republic of Congo has agreed on the key issues which will form the basis for re-energized bilateral cooperation during the second session of the two countries' joint commission.

The commission on Friday decided to establish new fields for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, tourism, handicraft, finance, security and trade.

The meeting which led to the signing of new agreements and the establishment of a two-year cooperation program covering 2007 to 2009 also enabled the two countries to explore ways and means of giving new impetus to their bilateral ties.

Benin and the Republic of Congo are linked by the 1978 agreements which established the joint commission.

Thanks to these agreements, trade constitutes the major sector through which the two countries are working together within the framework of the World Trade Organization.

An estimated 8,000 Beninese nationals live and work in the Republic of Congo's two major cities of Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. These Beninese nationals are found in different sectors such as fishing, trade, transportation and handicraft.

Source: Xinhua