Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE and Belarus have numerous areas of potential co-operation that should be explored beyond their current engagements, according to Belarusian Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin.
Lt-Gen Khrenin led a delegation that paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday. Speaking to the media after their closed-door meeting, Lt-Gen Khrenin said his primary mission was to strengthen military co-operation between Harare and Minsk.
On Monday, Lt-Gen Khrenin and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri signed agreements covering peace, security and the social sector.
“My mission is simple; I am a man in uniform and my purpose is to strengthen military co-operation and military-technical co-operation with the Defence Forces of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
“We have held very productive negotiations with the Honourable Minister of Defence and agreed on further directions for cooperation.
“And today (yesterday) I had the honour of meeting His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. His Excellency was briefed on our agreements within the framework of the Ministry of Defence, and we also discussed co-operation in industrial development and agriculture,” he said.
Lt-Gen Khrenin was accompanied by his deputy, Major General Andrey Burdyko, who is responsible for logistics and heads the armed forces, along with other Government officials.
He said Harare and Minsk could enhance co-operation across various sectors to promote mutual development and progress.
“We can clearly see that we have many areas of co-operation that we can develop. We have also identified numerous opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of our countries in different spheres,” said Lt-Gen Khrenin.
Belarus and Zimbabwe traditionally enjoy cordial relations, with the two countries exchanging high-level visits at Head of State and other levels.
President Mnangagwa visited Belarus earlier this year for an official engagement, while his counterpart, President Alexandr Lukashenko, made a historic State visit to Zimbabwe in 2023.
During his visit to Minsk, President Mnangagwa and President Lukashenko witnessed the signing of eight agreements covering co-operation in several areas, including health, agriculture and tourism.
The two leaders have consistently emphasised the need to open new frontiers of co-operation with Belarus, particularly in energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, waste management and water purification — critical sectors for unlocking sustainable socio-economic growth.
The impact of the Belarus-Zimbabwe Farm Mechanisation Project on Zimbabwe’s food security and sovereignty has also been significant.
Bongani Ndlovu